When Kristi and I shared the news with our children, they quietly absorbed the pain. Siblings of cancer patients are often left out of the loop, but we were determined to be aware of their needs, to help them put words to their feelings.
Soon after the diagnosis, everyone in the family had a blood test in the hope that one of us would be eligible bone-marrow donor. The probability of finding a perfect match among siblings was one in four. Outside the family, it could be in 20,000 or worse.
On March 20, Kristi called me at work to share some good news, “Amy is a perfect match!”
It was our first taste of tangible hope. But how do you explain a bone-marrow transplant to a 6-year-old?
“Amy,” I said, “after they takeaway Michael’s bad blood cells that make him sick, you can give him some of your good cells to make him better.” Amy, a child who gives as naturally as she breathes, cheerfully accepted her special role. As time went by, though, we sensed that Amy was becoming either uncomfortable with the attention or afraid. Yet she was still willing.
As a result of the donor search, however, a dark cloud cast a shadow over our hope. Our insurance policy, which had paid for Michael’s care so far, had a 12-month waiting period on benefits related to organ transplants. Since I had signed up for coverage only five months before, the insurance company wasn’t obliged to pay for the transplant.
But surely, I thought, such stipulations are meant to scare off people shopping for coverage after they discover they need surgery. How could the insurance company refuse a baby with a sudden onset of leukemia?
We began the long struggle through the jumble of institutional red tape, realizing that the crushing weight of Michael’s medical bills could fall entirely on our shoulders. The bone-marrow transplant, would cost more than ‘200,000. We would gladly pay that to save any one of our children-but how could we pay it?
On May 12, our son’s doctor told us that Michael was in transition to acute leukemia and needed the transplant soon. My little boy was dying, and we were down to our last ‘500.
At daybreak the next morning, as I wrote in my journal, my words formed a prayer. The morning stillness moved me with a sense of God’s utter compassion, and a deep calming came in a whisper to my soul. Somehow I sensed that my heavenly Father had everything under control.
Later that day, I discussed our situation with Kamiakin’s principal, Steven Mezich, who had expressed concern about Michael. “Jeff,” he said, “with your permission I want to propose a fund-raiser to the faculty at this afternoon’s staff meeting, to help your family.”
I was stunned. Steven’s thoughtful offer raised my spirits, though I doubted it could do much to boost us over such a huge and urgent financial hurdle.
After talking with Steven, I spent the afternoon at the welfare office applying for aid. When I came home, Kristi’s eyes were glistening. After the faculty meeting, Detra Markey, our vice-principal, had visited to bring toys for the kids-and a check for ‘ 500. Her little boy suffered from a heart condition, yet she was concerned about our son. His unexpected gift overwhelmed us.
I arrived at school the next morning to find my mailbox stuffed with envelopes from the Kamiakin staff-treasures of wishes for Michael’s recovery, prayers, loving support, ‘350 cash, and checks. The day before, we had nothing but a prayer, now we could see the hand of God.
The outpouring of love from these friends moved me to tears. But that Friday after school, I witnessed the most amazing act of kindness I could imagine.
Dameon Sharkey, a student from my adaptive physical education class, walked into my office with his mom and gave me his life savings of ‘ 60-all in ‘ 5 bills. Dameon, a 13-year-old with a few learning difficulties, faced his own mountains of adversity. Yet this young man set aside his struggle to lift the burden from my shoulders.
When Dameon left, walking tall and proud, I went immediately to Steve Mezich’s office. We agreed that Dameon’s gift should be used to establish “The Michael Leeland Fund.”
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