an interview with John about his bone marrow transplant anniversary

I haven't done an interview with my wonderful husband John Knox, of too-stubborn-to-die notoriety in a few months, so I figured it was time.

 

Krissy:  So hey there John, how are you doing today?

 

John:  Let's see.  Trying to cope with the 14 degree weather outside.

 

Krissy:  Yes, it's horrible.  With the wind chill factor it's probably below zero.  So anyway, what's new with you?

 

John:  Uhm, I had my 46th birthday a few weeks ago.  Uhm... (quit writing uhm!  I don't want uhm!)

 

Krissy:  okay!  How does it feel to be 46? 

 

John:  It feels a lot like being 45 except that I've noticed a number of wrinkles in my face that I've never noticed before!  My image of myself is still someone who is 25 or 30.  It's unsettling to realize that I am middle aged now.

 

Krissy:  Speaking of birthdays, you have another one coming up on Sunday.  How does it feel having two in one month? 

 

John:  Sunday is the second anniversary of my bone marrow transplant.  Bone marrow transplant recipients call our anniversary dates "birthdays".  It's because we got a new lease on life.  The anniversary does feel like a birthday because I have changed so much.  It's like I have almost become a different person in some ways. 

 

Krissy:  How do you feel you've become a different person since your transplant?  If you don't mind me asking.

 

John:  For awhile at first I think I became more withdrawn like I was concentrating on surviving.  I spent most of 2006 in the hospital.  Once I was home again it was difficult adjusting to being out of the hospital and trying to live a normal life. 

 

I think after that phase I became more assertive and creative.  I am more willing to take chances now.  I wouldn't have tried writing a blog before this.

 

Krissy:  I see a lot more changes than that.  I think you're more self-confident.  You're more easy going.  You're determined to do what you need to do.  Your fight to battle the cancers gave you that.

 

John:  I think you are right, but sometimes I have to work on these things.  It doesn't come completely naturally to me yet.

 

Krissy:  What's your inspiration?

 

John:  Shortly before I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma I asked God to give me more faith.  Dealing with NHL and bone marrow cancer, I did find more faith.  I didn't expect the deeper faith to come about in that way, but maybe I needed something significant to happen to give me that deeper faith. 

 

I know that God does not give us cancer, but I also know that God allows "all things to work together for good for those who love Him". 

 

Krissy:  If you could, would you change what has happened in your life?

 

John:  (moment of truth here) Overall I wouldn't change what has happened.  I do wish there had been fewer difficult complications after the transplant.  I think that six months of complications would have been enough of a trial to help me learn, but I trust God to do what was best for me.  Maybe I did need a year.

 

Krissy:  You believe God does not bring the illness, but He does sometimes allow it, right?

 

John:  Definitely.  God doesn't make us sick, but sometimes suffering can be a growth experience for us.  And it can draw us closer to the Lord.

 

Krissy:  So you're not angry at God for your cancer or bone marrow transplant experience?

 

John:  Throughout this whole cancer experience I have never blamed God or gotten angry at Him.  I've always known that God has my best interests in mind.

 

Krissy:  Would you like to add anything before we close?

 

John:  I would like to give thanks to God for seeing me through the cancer and complications.

 

I also give thanks to God for how He has helped me spiritually.

 

*****

 

If you would like to visit John and tell him "happy birthdays" then here is the link: it's the 2nd anniversary of my bone marrow transplant

 

Love you all,

 

Krissy :) 

Tags: bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, cancer, remission, anniversary, birthday, faith, God, Lord, blogplugs