We Celebrate Victory This Day!

Hi all,
This is Greg, John's brother-in-law.

I've been reflecting upon all that has happened in the last three years since I started this blog about John's life and the rest of our lives, too. So, I decided that it is time to resurrect it.   This blog is, after all, a celebration of life, and there is much to celebrate today!

Yes, John is stilling running; He has crossed countless finish lines, some barely standing and some triumphantly. The longer the time on the stopwatch, however, the larger his and our trophy rises into the sky.  Stage 4 multiple Glioblastoma multiforme is a formidable foe, but it didn't stop John in the middle of his trophy run.

John's Trophy Run has been an incredible journey of perseverance, courage, faith, and a considerable scientific miracle.    After three years, he is finished with his experimental treatment and is in complete remission.... That's Cancer Free, sport fans!   How about that runner!

 John has weathered the ultimate storm, but he carries on with the same integrity and character as always.  He is full of life: always touching, sensing, tasting, feeling, and experiencing life to its fullest.  He is endlessly curious, always wanting to learn something new and share his phenomenal knowledge and awareness with anyone who wants to listen.  He has always carried a plethora of obscure sports, historical, musical, and trivial facts, and that has not changed a bit!

Cancer does change some things, however. Let's look how John met his ultimate challenge!

1)  He now is a grandfather of a beautiful baby boy.  Ashley and Dan are very proud to share their joy with John.  That nasty cancer almost didn't let him get to see little Roland, but now John grins from ear to ear when he talks about holding him in his arms. 

2) John  saw his nephew Michael marry the love of his life, Gracie, and he was in the groove dancing all night while his entire family tried to keep up with him!

3) John hiked the Yellowstone Valley and the Grand Tetons with his family near.  He saw the Grizzly and looked him straight in the eye!  I'll never forget the whole family gazing through the spotting scope as the National Geographic scene unfolded before our eyes!

4) John also has reserved seats on Southwest Airlines from MCI to RDU, and his faithful partner, friend, love, and wife Karen joined him in those "Group A" seats many, many times during their journeys to visit some of the most amazing doctors on Earth.  John....? He was just proud to introduce his new friend Dr. V. to his brother and sisters at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center on the campus of Duke University.

5) The experimental drug Avastin took its toll on John's cancer, but it affected John's healthy colon, too.  He struggled through a very painful perforated appendix one year ago.  When he recovered,  we all feared that the Avastin was the cause of thinning of the intestinal wall.  The drug that saved him was now killing him, so he had to say good bye to the very experimental monoclonal antibody that gave him a second chance at life.
We worried that the cancer would return, but it didn't.  We now know that most cancers return in the early months after the treatment has ended, and John is still cancer free, one full year after his cancer regimen!

6)  Before, throughout, and after John's ordeal, he continues to care deeply for those around him.  He still volunteers at his church and visits his children, grandchild, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and all the "out-laws" whenever he can.

I could go on and on.  But two of the things that John has reinforced in all of us in the last three years is to "never give up no matter what", and to "grab onto life while you have it" with all the strength, knowledge, faith, and gratitude that you can muster.  He has reminded all of us poignantly that living is the greatest gift of all, and that one cannot give it up without a considerable fight.   He has been a true hero of a human being for all of us to emulate.

May we all grow old with you, brother John!  There is still much ground to cover!

We celebrate victory together this day! 

Take some time to go back to the beginning and reread this incredible story.  You will be sad at times, but you'll also be amazed, joyful, and deeply touched by the story of a remarkable family.  I guarantee it! 

Consider joining John's Team for their third Tisch Center Angels Among Us 5K on April 30, in Durham, North Carolina!  I'll be there, and I'll be running!