Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The Fight Club (Edited 8/20/2013)

When Shawna Pierno posted “F*&# Cancer” as her Facebook status I knew it was because her Mom, Pat had miraculously defied the Doctors and beat the Cancer she wasn’t supposed to survive. Thank you God! I cried with joy when I read the post. I cried for Pat, and cried for Shawna, Bob, Amelia, and for everyone else that loves her. It was a day to celebrate for their entire family.

Slowly, inch by inch, Cancer has crept closer and closer to my life. Not long after Shawna’s famous Facebook post, on a cold and dreary afternoon in January 2010, I learned about another person who was going to have a “Throwdown” with Cancer. A beloved husband, cherished father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, son-in-law, brother-in-law, co-worker and friend to many. In the past I’d thought, the evil conniving Cancer had gotten too close. Stage 4 Throat Cancer gave David Callejas the scare of his life during a routine tonsillectomy. Then, Skin Cancer dared to nestle in next to my Daddy’s only good eye, downright cruel and unforgivable after he’d already triumphed over a heart transplant.

“All these tests look good” said the Nurse Practitioner as she examined my husband Ken. We were starting to breathe a little easier and relax a bit. This wasn’t anything to worry about. It was all smiles and laughter. Until the Doctor came in and brought the news that Ken has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, also known as CLL. “I … ha…have… Leukemia?”...stammered my stunned, crushed, dearly beloved husband. There was NO “I’m sorry,” there were no hugs, there was not any tenderness from Hematologist/Oncologist with Zero Feelings. Just a smile and a nod. I guess this is "all in a days work' for her.


Those first few days we barely spoke. We are both the same when it comes to the scary & sad things in life. It took a few weeks to come back to life and figure out our plan of attack. I immediately thought of Shawna; "F*$# Cancer is right!

We are a team, Ken and I, married now for 25 years. This is quite a mountain WE are going to climb together, a fight we will be fighting together - every step of the way. Thank you again DAVID & KAY MORRISON, for once again being role models for me in this arena!

We needed some private time to plan our course, and find the best treatment facility before sharing it with family and friends. We were blessed and so fortunate to find UCSD Moore’s Cancer Center and become a patient of Dr. Kipps, one of a handful of highly regarded national specialists in the CLL field today. And God Bless him, he has FEELINGS, and he HUGS Ken every time we go in for an office visit. We are in the hands of someone who really cares about PEOPLE. It’s a scary and uncertain time for us, and those hugs say a lot and mean the world. Thank you Dr. Kipps.

We’ve also been looking at our life to see what changes we can make to optimize Ken’s health and reduce his stress levels. It’s a blessing, especially now (!!) that I am a stay at home wife and mother and have supportive, self-sufficient adult-aged children so I can focus 100% of my attention on helping my husband stay healthy. If it means staying home rather than attending events so we get more rest, or so Ken doesn’t have to do more stressful driving in traffic, that’s what we’ll do. I’m a Trainer now. I have to keep my top athlete in fighting form. I have to be selfish for both of us and say NO to a lot right now.

Ken is already in the Ring; gloves on, bravely fighting back. He’s throwing punches and ready, like many of you who have already had to go in, so brave, before he has. My Auntie Ferris Bevins, David Callejas, The Rev. Gwen Ehrenborg, Connie Herrick, Keith Myers, David Morrison, Shawna’s mom Pat, and....Pat, Brian & Emily Saia, and anyone else who is a member of "The Fight Club." There is a dear friend who fights anonymously and wishes not to be listed; I do not forget you.

There are so many I know I have not listed, or have no knowledge of your fight. So, I have a favor to ask. Please use the comment section to tell me about how Cancer has touched your life, or a loved ones life. Tell me how you or your loved one got into the Ring and how you or they fought. Tell me so Ken and I can rejoice with you and be uplifted by your stories of strength, courage, resilience and perseverance.



I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

11 comments:

  1. I'm stunned. I want to give you a super long "gosh how I have missed you and how DARE cancer strike your beautiful family" HUG. I'm getting me a bracelet TODAY. Prayers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yikes! I had no idea :/ A few years ago my Grandma beat breast cancer, and just recently my Grandpa beat colon cancer. Both of those periods were tough times. My Uncle Bill also had cancer as a small child and had to go through chemo. I'm so thankful all three of them are still with us. I haven't taken off my Livestrong bracelet since the Tour de France in summer of '04, when Lance first came out with them, and don't ever plan to do so. Give Ken my best!

    ReplyDelete
  3. love you sweet jodi! praying that ken continues to stay healthy and strong. trusting in a big God who loves us through all things. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I will be praying for you and your family. Much love. "Alli"

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jodi, Hugs and Prayers to you & your family. May the prayers and thoughts of friends give you strength for the fight ahead. You don't stand in the ring alone God and all your friends are there with you. A dear former student fought leukemia about 2 years ago alongside his mom fighting a return of breast cancer both are doing great today & cancer free. I sent them funny cards periodically throughout their treatments to lift their spirits. Laughter is healing find something to laugh at each day...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jodi and Ken, My heart goes out to you both as I try to wrap my mind around the news you shared yesterday with all of us. With God's love and prayers of strength from friends and family I know you both will stay strong and healthy. My mom had cancer and I really was amazed at how courageous she was while undergoing the various tests and treatments. She became a cancer survivor and was able to enjoy her two grandchildren for many more years. I've heard so many positive stories about people fighting cancer.....I know you can win the battle too. Lots of hugs, Shirley

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I find it excruciating to say any words about cancer when they are connected with one of my favorite people on earth. Ken Wilson is the most disciplined, devoted, and tender hearted man I have had the pleasure to know and am fortunate enough to call my friend. If anything, he is strong. He will be the Sugar Ray Wilson in the ring with an unworthy opponent. That being said, I hate that Ken and his sweet family have to face this. But I know with everything I believe in, that they will emerge triumphant and unscathed. To Ken and Jodi and Stephanie and Sam, you are not alone. I will keep you in my heart and thoughts as I do everyday. To everyone battling cancer we are fighting with you. I have a favorite hymn that says, "Fear not for I am with you, watch, and pray." I will watch and pray for God's hand in our lives. And to my best friend in the world, Jodi, please let your friends help you as you keep Ken loved, supported and stress free while he kicks the fuck out of cancer. I love you, Mindy

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sorry I couldn't post right away, Jodi & Ken. I had to first say it aloud to believe it, and then have a good cry. I don't think I know TriGal, but agree: "How dare cancer strike your beautiful family!" Each time I think of Jodi, I think of her quote/lifestyle: FAMILY IS EVERYTHING, and that is who you both are. So, here is my story: my dear mommy: dottiedixie/dixdot/dotdixdot, I don't remember what funny you call her and me, but you know "the mom". Her breast cancer attacked 12 years ago. She was ready to throw in the towel during the last couple weeks of radiation, she did NOT want to finish. But our love of her, God's strength, and her love for her children and husband got her into the doctor's office and got her thru those final treatment days. I celebrate each phone call, Sundays at church, shopping together, and those one-armed bandits we play with! She'll be 80 this Sept 18. Lucky me! Go Ken! Go Jodi! Knock out this damn c-word and let's celebrate your 80th! We love you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear, sweet Jodi. Sadly, I know the shock you both felt when you were told of Ken's diagnosis. When my mom, Pat, was diagnosed in Febr. 2009 we were completely blindsided and numb. She had stage IV, poorly differentiad, unknown primary with liver mets. The first few days in the hospital my mom was pretty doped up for the chemo and I have to say it was a good thing. I wasn't yet ready to look into her eyes and have that awareness and recognition of what was happening to her. There was plenty of time for THAT later. When she started losing her hair we had a head-shaving party complete with pizza and beer and friends and family. She was beautiful bald. After 5 rounds of chemo over 7 months, it was still unknown the level of impact the treatments had. Right before Christmas, her oncologist gave us the best gift ever. Her brain and bone scans did not show any new growth and the tumors had actually shrunk! The MRI on her liver, which was once described as swiss cheese, showed that those masses were disappearing. Her doctor said she was his miracle of the year and that she was one of only 2% who could have survived her diagnosis and treatment. 2%! That Christmas was almost two years ago. She continues to have positive results from quarterly brain/body/MRI scans though they think she suffered a small stroke within the past year. Her outlook and attitude are contagious and sometimes I forget that she is living with cancer. My sister Sandy and I would leave each other post-it messages on our car windows after trading shifts at the hospital. One day, the one she left on my window had two words: FUCK CANCER. Well, we did. And so shall you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete