Faith Under Fire
I want to share with you a personal story – one that I hope will not just inspire you, but challenge you to think deeper about the trials you face in life… and I want to begin with this little caveat – major caveat really. This story is only made possible because of the grace of our loving God. I know me to well to that I am no spiritual giant by any means. HOWEVER, my God is faithful, His grace is sufficient, and His mercies endure forever. I give all glory to our God and King.
On August 5th of last year – after a series of about 4 ER visits and 3 doctors appointments, I was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. It was dreaded “C” word nobody wants to hear. However, after what was thought to be a various bouts with my sciatica or a pinched nerved, it was finally discovered that my spleen was the size of my liver and was pushing against nerves that was cause very intense and often time very debilitating pain. My spleen was overcome with Leukemia cells that eventually put me down and often left me short of breath. 28 days later and massive round of chemotherapy, I was released from hospital in total remission. TO GOD BE GLORY.
Yet, that was just the beginning. After recovering at home for about 3 weeks, I took a dive and all the strength I had regained left my body and I was bedridden for about 3-4 weeks. To make sure it wasn’t the Leukemia making a comeback, I had my 3rd bone marrow biopsy. The results came back and while it didn’t show any Leukemia, it did show that my marrow was depleted just as if I had another big round of chemo. While a second major round was scheduled, it never came about because of whatever happened… which actually turned out to be a blessing. My oncologist said, whatever happened to you was like having another round of chemotherapy and we don’t need to do the second round. I said, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY!”
What I haven’t told you yet was that after more test results came back during my hospital stay, it was determined that I would need a Stem Cell Transplant. So, about 3 weeks after I came home, that process begun and we started looking for a donor and walking through the plan. The doctor at Sarah Cannon said we’ll start with your brother and go from there. By divine providence, we didn’t have to go any further. Within a week we learned that my brother Joshua was perfect 10/10 match and in December of last year (2022) the process began. My brother came from Michigan, spent the night at the hospital, and they harvested his stem cells. The day he finished, I was admitted on December 6th (my dad’s birthday). I received 6 days of heavy chemo, was given a day off, and on December 13th, I was given my brothers stem cells via transplant. The recovery was nothing short than grace of God as I experience ZERO rejection or side effects. On January 3rd, I was finally released from the hospital to begin my recovery at home. Just like the first time I released from the hospital after diagnosis, I had oncology appointments 2-3 days a week where they were constantly monitoring my blood counts. By the way, I learn more about the blood in our bodies that I every cared too. However, when the Bible says that “life is in the blood,” all I can say is “YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!”
Let’s fast forward little. 3 weeks ago I have my 6 month post-transplant appointment and all is well! I am still in remission and everything is right on track for a complete recovery and declaration of being officially cured (done 3 years post-transplant). Every 5-7 weeks for the next 2 years, I receive a new round of maintenance chemo which consists of 3 days of a chemo infusion and 10 days of a chemo pill. I begin my fourth round today if my counts are where they need to be. So far the treatments have gone very well and are nothing compared to the major rounds I had at diagnosis and transplant. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
Friends, there is so much more I could tell you about my diagnosis. From PICC lines, to I.V.s, to 7 Bone Marrow Biopsies, and countless doctor appointments, this last year has been INTENSE. BUT, I share all this with you to tell you, my leukemia diagnosis is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I say this with all sincerity and humility in my heart. Please don’t get me wrong. I have no desire to ever experience it again nor would I wish it on my own worst enemy. We shed many tears – sometime outright sobbing. There have been many moments of fear, and several adversities and anxieties to to overcome. HOWEVER, I can write this and tell you, IT’S BEEN WORTH IT! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! The opportunities that God has given us to love and care for people has been a blessing beyond belief. From nurses, doctors, technicians, other patients, and strangers, we’ve been able to express the Love of God to so many people. NOT FOR MY GLORY, BUT TO HIS ALONE. From the start of all this – from diagnosis, my mantra has been Psalm 115:1. “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.”
I wish I had time to tell you about all my nurses and doctors at St. Thomas during my month stay at diagnosis. I wish I had more time to tell you about one of my nurse practitioners, Ashley, whom we love so much and came to the point to share with us that she believes God placed us in her life to help her get her “spiritual house” in order.
I wish I had more time to tell you about my doctors and nurses at the Sarah Cannon Institute who took such great care of me. Several who we’ve been able to encourage and pray with and simply love them with the love of Jesus and see their tears flow because we let them know that they serve a great purpose.
I wish I had more time to tell you about Chuck and Amelia. I met Chuck while walking laps in the hospital. Church is probably 20+ years or more older than me and he was diagnosed with the same AML Leukemia. We didn’t say much in passing while we were walking, but since I was released from the hospital, I run into Chuck and his wife, Amelia in the clinic all the time. One day I walked over to him, introduced myself, and we exchanged stories of our experiences. Before I left that day I asked If I could pray for he and his wife and to see the joy expressed on their faces that this complete stranger would love and care for them enough to pray for them was worth more than gold. We have a wonderful relationship to this day.
I wish I had more time to tell you about Opal. I met Opal on bench outside Opry Mills Mall because I worn out and just needed to sit down for a while. I struck up a conversation with her and come to find out, Opal was a patient at Sarah Cannon. You can’t make this stuff up. We talked and I asked if we could pray together and we were both overcome with joy.
Again, I wish I has more time to tell you about SEVERAL nurses or other patients that we’ve been able to share with and pray over. I could tell you about our dear friend Sabrina. She just a had a baby and you better believe, UNLCE PUSCH will be there him!
There are so many more stories, that I simply can’t get to… suffice to say that if I was never diagnosed with Leukemia, I would have NEVER been able to meet and minister to these people and for the alone I can testify and say, “I am thankful for my AML Leukemia diagnosis” and I HAVE NO INTENTION OF WASTING THIS CANCER, BUT DESIRE TO USE IT FOR GOD’S GLORY!
“Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4
As a part of this, I want to be here for you as you face the various trials of life. I would love to pray with you, encourage you, counsel, coach, or just talk! CLICK HERE to set up a time!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! YOU ARE LOVED!
Blessings, PastorPusch
