6 Years Ago Today

Jonathon January 2015

"Did you get there okay?"

I woke up this morning to the annoying sound of my alarm, like any other morning.  I gave no thought to the date, but rather thought more along of the lines of what I was going to wear, and if it had snowed overnight.  If it snowed, or was icy, I knew I probably wouldn't drive the bypass to work.  Us South Bend folk refer to US20/US31 as the "bypass."  It's an east/west 4 lane highway that's notorious for being slick and having hundreds of accidents every year.  When it's bad in the mornings, I won't take it.  I'll drive through town the long way.  And then my family will be texting me the whole way.

"Stay off the bypass."

"Accident near the Ironwood exit...watch out."  

"Slide-off near Elm, be careful."

"They just closed it."

"Did you get there okay?"

As a matter of fact, I did today.  But 6 years ago, I had doubts.  6 years ago today, I would wake up to a very different morning.  It was the day I was diagnosed with Leukemia.  That day I wasn't worried about my commute to work, what I was wearing or even if it had snowed the night before.  I was worried about a much more important thing: survival.  

My doctor told me that if I didn't seek treatment fast, I wouldn't make it to Summer.  While most people at that time were worried about what was going to happen on the next episode of LOST, my family and I were thrown into an episode of our own called 'Survivor: Jonathon Style.'  

How does one even consider where we should get treatment?  What hospital do you choose to save your life?  Or, more importantly, what doctor?  The answers came slow throughout the day.  And after a huge amount of research and conversations with doctors, the decision was made on The University of Chicago. I just put a University in charge of saving my life.  Yep.  I did that.  

Over the last 6 years, I'm not gonna lie...it hasn't been easy.  I've had a few surgeries, developed Osteoporosis, got cataracts, and am now battling some GVHD.  (Graft Versus Host Disease.)  Not to mention some diabetic nerve pain that can be downright unruly some days.  But you know what?

I got here.  I am still here.  I am still fighting.  

I didn't come alone.  A special thanks to all my friends and family who battled the hardships with me.  You know who you are.  You also know I love all of you.  And a very special thanks goes out to my wife.  If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would've done.   She was my constant reminder that I couldn't give up.  She will always be the light in all my dark places.  

So yeah.  I did get here okay...after all.  

Bring on Summer.        

 

Jonathon & Jenna Feb. 2009

   

Jonathon & Maya March 2009