Dear Friends,
Greetings! I began a new and fifth chemo infusion treatment yesterday at the Oregon Health Sciences University Knight Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Matt Taylor. That big word in the title section above is the new cancer drug I am taking. It will be infused two more times on December 31st and January 21st. The brand name for the drug is Keytruda.
I am grateful that so far the side effects have been minimal though I have been tired today but am having no pain. As those of you know who have been impacted by cancer, if you actually read all the possible nasty things that could happen to you, then no one would take the treatment. I am thankful to all the scientists, researchers, and doctors who are working on this disease. In honor of Jimmy V Week, I am working hard to remind myself to "Never Give Up." If you have never seen Coach Valvano's speech at the ESPYs 20 years ago as he was facing his own death due to cancer, then google it up and let him inspire you as he did our family this week again. We all sat together and wept tears of sadness, joy, thanks, and concern.
Your amazing kindness, grace, and generosity keep pouring into our family through texts, emails, cards, and calls. One of my former Resident Assistants at Oregon State visited and said, "I'm not buying any of your books. You've given them all to me already. My brother and my Mother and I are going to pay the twins tuition at Oregon State until they graduate." Wow! They set up an account at Oregon State and Donna can tell y'all more about that if you are interested. His wife said, "For all you have done for so many, this is a small way to say thank you." It is not small to Donna and I, nor the twins! I remain stunned because we always taught our residential life staffs that we were a family but to see it, and be the recipient of if, was humbling. Thank you!
Two nights ago the high school volleyball Coach asked to stop by and I worried all day that he wanted to talk about his marriage as I had officiated the ceremony. When he arrived, he handed me an envelope with money raised by the Corvallis High Volleyball team for our family because in their words, "Your family and you have always been there for our team." Amazing. Some big lessons cancer has taught me is that I am better at giving than receiving, better at visiting the sick than being one, and that the humility cancer has taught me would have been a lesson better learned earlier than later. I think I would have been a better person. I am learning to say, "Thank you so very much for your kindness.", and mean it with my whole being.
This Christmas will be a special and emotional one for our family as so many of you have been Santa Claus to us since we found out about my disease. We have so much to be thankful for! My big cancer insight over the pass few weeks is that cancer will always be part of my life. Even if by the power of Pembrolizumab, the skills of Dr. Taylor, and the grace of Almighty God I become free of the disease in my body, I will always think about it, those with it, and their families. I am pleased that colleges and universities continue to book me to speak because cancer has brought a depth to my thoughts and words that was missing before. I feel like now I have something to say and the courage to say it. Might I find a way and the words to convince my students, and you, how precious your life is without you having to host the disease? This is my prayer and my hope. Each of you matter more than you know. You are a thread in a mighty tapestry called life. You are connected and counted on.
As Coach Bruce Alexander addressed my son JJ and the other Band of Brothers youth football team years ago for the last time, facing his impending death due to cancer, he said with great emotion, "I finally got it boys. It is about Love. That's all the matters." He was right. And that is why it is now so easy for me to say to each of you:
I love you. I am grateful for you. And though my capacities may become diminished, I will do whatever I can for as long as I can to help you see the miracle that you are. To help you believe that you deserve to be loved and have infinite capacity to give love. Love. That's all that matters.
Will Keim
