David Fussell – My Journey
I have always been healthy, only went to the doctor for an annual check-up and took few, if any, medications. In February, 2019, I began to experience fatigue. The fatigue gradually got worse. We went to a college basketball game on 3/2/2019. I could not walk at a normal pace from the arena to our car. Walking became a struggle and I started to lose my appetite. We had a cruise to the Panama Canal booked for late March. I knew I was sick but did not think it was serious. While on our cruise my fatigue became worse. I could not walk up one flight of steps without sitting down to rest and my appetite was terrible. I might have been one of the few passengers on a cruise who lost weight. I had to cancel several shore excursions. I called my internist in GA and setup an appointment for the next day after we arrived home.
At his office, he ordered several lab tests. Two days later, he called me and told me he suspected Leukemia but needed one more blood test. A few days later, Barbara and I met with the internist and he confirmed it was Leukemia. He ordered a BM biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When I arrived at the hospital, I was so weak; I could not walk the 100 feet from the admission center to the nurse’s station. I had to use a wheelchair. The nurses told me my blood count was very low and they would give me 2 units of blood as soon as I got out of recovery.
Barbara requested my medical file from the internist. She made several phone calls and made an appointment with the Dr. Navneet Dhillon, Oncologist/Hematologist, Canton, GA. I arrived at her office on a Friday at 1 PM. Reviewing my file, giving me several test, she told me I would be admitted to the Leukemia unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. She told me to expect a phone call from them. Before, we could leave the parking lot, Northside Atlanta called and told me to report to the hospital by 8 AM the next morning (Saturday). When I asked if I could wait until Monday to be admitted, they said NO! When I ask how long I would be in the hospital, they said 2-4 weeks!! I was SHOCKED!
I had never spent the night in a hospital and had little idea of why I had to go to the hospital on Saturday rather than Monday. It happened so fast, my only reaction was shock. I did not know enough to ask questions. FYI, both of my parents are deceased. My Dad died from blood clots which hit his lungs and my Mom died from several types of cancer. She had been a pack and ½ per day smoker for more than 30 years! Both of my grandmothers lived into their 90s. Good health was in my family.
I spent 33 days at Northside Hospital on the 4th floor Leukemia unit. The first weekend I was in the hospital, they gave me more test, X-rays, IVs and pills than one could name. I had visits from clergy, many friends, including friends I had not seen in years. One close friend, Carl Thompson, was in his early 70s and got permission to donate platelets. He donated platelets several times during my hospital stay. My family were supportive and visited me often. I have 5 grandchildren and all were under 12 at the time. Not seeing them or going to the lobby of the hospital to visit friends was difficult. I had one neighbor, which planted THREE blueberry bushes in our backyard for me while I was in the hospital.
The hospital staff were terrific. I wish I could remember everyone’s names. One male nurse, SAM, was a constant in my hospital life as were many. They would bring a smile to my face when they entered my room. Another nurse was very kind and considerate but I cannot remember her name. She requested to be my nurse when I had my BM Transplant. Two PAs, Jessie (SEAHAWK Fan) and Ann (taught nursing at Auburn and a Notre Dame fan) were special. The staff became like family to me. We talked sports, family life, their travel and many other subjects. Our anniversary is 4/27. We were in the hospital on our anniversary. Several of the nurses went together and purchased us some delicious cupcakes to have for our anniversary. I received so many text messages while I was in the hospital, I delivered eye strain trying to read and answer them.
Once, I arrived home from the hospital, we adjusted to “life at home”. Taking 20-30 pills every day and returning to the hospital every day or every other day became the norm. My wife, Barbara, became a real hero at home. She managed all the meds, refills and daily doses. There was no way; I could have managed that by myself. Even the medical staff remembers how anxious she was when I was dismissed from the hospital. In addition, she would spend every other night at the hospital with me. It was a blessing to both of us, my illness was in 2019 and not during the pandemic!! I could not have made it without her being in my room to talk with the nurses and doctors.
Our five grandchildren are very important to us. We had decided when each of the grandchildren which the age of 10, we would take them on a special trip. Our oldest grandchild was turning 10 in May 2019. In October 2018, I made reservations for a trip to NYC for Barbara, myself and our grandson. Due to my travel restrictions, my daughter had to take my place on the trip to NYC. We did not want my illness to interrupt our oldest grandchild’s 10th birthday. My friend, Carl Thompson, came and stayed with me while they were in NYC.
Due to travel restrictions and my immune system be compromised, I was avoiding public groups and wearing a mask months before the pandemic hit the USA!! When Dr Bashey told me, in early August, my treatment was not working as planned and I should consider a BMT, I was discouraged. I did not want a transplant. Later, after I understood, the BMT did not involve surgery, prayer and discussion with my family; I decided to have a BMT. Fortunately, my son, John, was a match and my donor. The few days after my BMT, I ran a fever and was admitted back into the hospital. I think for 2 or 3 days I was very ill. The nurses, PAs and others took very good care of me. After 4 or 5 days, I was dismissed from the 4th floor of the hospital.
While I was in the hospital, I struggled to walk 1 mile per day. I realized there was a chance I could die. I outlined my memorial service. While this might sound morbid to many, it was not to me. I was a trained STEPHEN Minister. We would meet one on one with care receivers about many subjects including death of a family member or love one. Before I retired, I was a financial planner/rep and discussed legacy planning with many of my older clients. I believe this background and training helped me with some of the uncertainty of my disease and treatment.
As I settled into the routine of the outpatient unit on the 10th floor at Northside Hospital, I made many, many friends with in the staff. My PA, Melissa Collins, nurse Meghan Wright, Samantha (SAM), now a NP, Meredith and so many, many more. Elsie and all those at the front desk were always quick with a smile and hello when I walked into the waiting room/lobby.
Now, some three years after my BMT, I am in remission and have returned to a normal routine. I play tennis, Pickleball, walk, hike, travel and spend time with family and grandchildren. Over the last 12 months, Barbara and I have traveled to Yellowstone NP and taken a couple of family BEACH vacations. We will travel again in 2023. I have returned to playing tennis and Pickleball. I have even played in 2 or 3 Pickleball tournaments. I walk 2-4 miles 4-5 times every week.
I am BLESSED to be in remission and returned to a normal routine/schedule. When someone ask me about my illness or treatment, I do not hesitate to say the power of PRAYER, GOD, my wife, many friends, my family and an excellent medical team are responsible for me being in remission.