The Honor is All Mine

Part of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training program is to learn more about blood cancer, and to become more involved in their mission. In order to do so, each team is given an Honor Patient. When I first joined Team in Training, I thought the idea of an Honor Patient was cool for those needing to put a face with the disease, but I already had my face and personal drive. I had Michelle pushing me to make a difference. Regardless, I was interested in how the Honor Patient deal worked but was somewhat skeptical at the all the while.


I'm sure you are all sitting there thinking I've now hit the height of hypocrisy. Skeptical?? I've been personally touched by leukemia with someone I love very much, and now I'm skeptical about being put in touch with someone else who is fighting for their life. What kind of a jerk am I?? Well, it wasn't that simple. Blood cancer is nasty. Well, any cancer is nasty. For any of you who really know me, knows I'm a much more tender hearted person then I let on. In my mind, I was expecting to see a small, frail child, or someone who, like Michelle, looked and acted very ill and could possibly be dying. For me, the thought of becoming "attached" to someone else who has blood cancer was an almost unbearable thought.


Fast forward to our kick-off party. Back at the first part of June, we had a big kick-off party, where everyone with the Mid-America Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training program got together to finally meet face-to-face. We all broke-up into our actual team, which is based on which marathon (or for a few elite few, a triathlon) you are participating in. For me, it will be the Women's Nike Marathon in San Francisco, CA. Anyway, each team is assigned their Honor Patient. Our team, was the only team who's patient was at the party. To my surprise, the gentleman who addressed us seemed to be near my age... He is a father of two young boys and oddly, prior to his leukemia diagnosis, he was an avid marathon and triathlon participant.


Matthew Mellor addressed the entire room and gave us insight into his diagnosis with a rare form of leukemia, CML, his treatments, and his life, both before and during cancer. Needless to say, by the end of his talk, I was in tears. Suddenly my new "hobby" had become even more real. I suddenly had another "Michelle" right in my face and this one could talk back to me. It made me miss her so much more, but it made me more determined to help find a cure. Not just for her, but for Matthew and his wife and boys.


Well, to my excitement - Matthew is now in remission!! The oh, so sweet word has finally came for him and his loved ones! During his time of trials and hardship he never lost his faith or his determination that he would triumph over leukemia. He kept up his physical strength as much as possible and to everyone's delight, last Sunday, Matthew just participated in his first triathlon since leukemia.


A fellow TNT member, Kay, and I went to Shawnee Mission park to support Matthew in his triathlon. He amazed us both with how well he tackled the swimming and biking part of in his race. We were so excited for him. Not so much for the race, but more for what the day the race signified for him. Just as Matthew was rounding the final part of the bike portion, the race was cancelled because of a bad storm. Regardless, he was a serious winner!!!


SO, now I'm thinking the term "Honor Patient" is completely wrong... I've learned so much from my Honor Patient. BOTH of them. Michelle and Matthew have taught me more than I could ever imagine. It's funny but I somehow wonder if they were cut from the same mold, so to speak. They both have shown more grace and dignity than most people would in their situation. They both have a tremendous amount of heart and have been determined to triumph over anything. For me, I am the one who is honored. The honor has been mine to not only know them, but to compete for them. To say I'm a part of THEIR team has made me feel more honor than I have felt in a long time...

Please honor them and their fight by joining our team and by helping us all find a cure!!! We still need your help and your donations!

Thanks!!

~AJ