Our Lives and Journey A Crossroads Travel Extra
Our Lives and Journey
How Faith, Family and Friends Help Us Beat Cancer
A Crossroads Travel Extra
(In Memory of Columbus Wired founder, Dave Weissman as well as to the memories of Aaron Wiegand, Jean Ruggles, and Nanette Welch .....all who have impacted my life greatly)
By Giles Kennedy
This is literally how Sunbury, Centerburg, Westerville and Central Ohio helped me, my wife Tanya and my daughter Hannah help beat my cancer.
February 2008
The same day Clear Channel Columbus fired me, I called former boss Debbie Taranto from my cell in the parking lot.
That very day, she called me back and offered me full time hours at her pizzeria. I was working part time for her already. My “30 minutes or less” prayer was answered. “God, I don’t care where I work, please give me a humble job to bring home the pay…Amen.”
February 2010
Started to get headaches worse than before. Went to my doctor, Dr. Andy Elierman.
March 2010
Hannah was born. A biopsy surgery was done to find out what growth was happening on my left side of my jaw line. Tanya, who was working had her job dissolved due to corporate buyout. Applied for COBRA coverage.
April/May 2010
Diagnosed with B-Cell Type Non-Hodgkin’s Stage 3 Lymphoma. Started to go to the Zangmeister Center. Tanya interviewed in April and gained a position in May at Careworks (where she was for several years, now with a major hospital group). I gained a position at NAPA Auto Parts at their main store in Linworth.
Surprisingly enough both employers to this day have been gracious for any appointments and chemo I have gone through. That allowed Tanya to be there for me as well as others to help when she could not be there.
October/November 2010
I went into the Zangmeister Center for my normal chemo appointment. I was informed by my doctor there. I had started remission of the growths in my body. They did a CT Scan to confirm. It confirmed it. Through prayer and healing; I was in remission.
Throughout the following year, they kept an eye on blood counts, etc.
Mid August 2011
After coming off a relaxing vacation, I returned home to shocking news. A routine CT Scan showed a relapse of the lymphoma. Unfortunately, it had turned into Stage 4 B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
I was forced to file for medical leave from NAPA. My last week of work was the 1st week of September.
September/October/November 2011
I started rounds of intense chemo. It was one of the most trying times of my life. Weak and sometimes not able to eat for 2 to 3 days; I was lacking strength. But through it all, I had more peace about the treatments than the 1st bout of lymphoma.
Through prayer, the logistical and spiritual support; my faith in God provided every step of the way.
The next step was an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant. That required pre-treatment chemo after the stem cells were extracted. Another CT Scan was also required prior to extraction to make sure no new growths were there.
Clean and lean, we went to the next step. Off to the James Cancer Center Hospital.
December/January 2011-12
The three to four week stay was expected for the treatments, transplant and observation. I was admitted on December 23rd. Pre transplant chemo proceeded. The stem cell transplant was December 29th. Observation and blood draws showed I was recovering at an advanced rate. I was released January 9th, 2012. Two and a half weeks, well ahead of time.
This was all amazing. My sense of humor not only entertained the James staff but kept mine and visitors spirits up. It had to be God, because the first half of my hospital stay; I felt miserable.
April 3rd, 2013
James Cancer Center has deemed me cancer free...only follow up visits from here on out!
Throughout the batlle; many people step up for meals, rides to chemo, etc.
My church, Vineyard Church of Delaware County was very helpful with me, my wife and daughter with everyday needs. My former church homes of Centerburg Church of Christ and Vineyard Church of Columbus were also gracious and kind.
Many people from the Westerville community also stepped up as well. I was extremely humbled and blessed for all they did.
Today
I still have great connections with all those who helped along the way.
My heart breaks for those who did help us; for those who have lost their own battles.
My mother-in-law Nanette, my aunt Jean, dear friends Nick Fama, Peggy Linnebary, and Dave Weissman all passed through the mortal coil to cancer’s deadly wraith. I believe I will see them some day.
Never underestimate those in your lives. They do love you; those who truly care.
