Birthday Relections

Tomorrow, I celebrate my 57th birthday.

Just seven months ago, I honestly didn’t know if I would ever be able to write those words.

When I was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer in early January, the future suddenly became uncertain. Having watched the man who raised me and my biological father succumb to their cancers, I was fearful. There were moments of fear, difficult conversations, countless prayers, surgeries, treatments, and days when Denise and I simply had to trust God for the next step. We didn’t know what tomorrow would hold—but we knew Who held tomorrow.

Now, by the amazing grace of God, tomorrow has arrived.

And while I am deeply grateful to be here to celebrate another birthday, the journey still isn’t over. I still have a few more cycles of chemotherapy ahead of me, and after that, I will begin eight more six-week cycles of immunotherapy. We are thankful for how far God has brought us, and we are trusting Him for every step still to come.

I have the incredible privilege of celebrating another year of life with my beautiful bride of more than 30 years, Denise, and our daughter, Kaley. After everything we’ve walked through together, I don’t take a single birthday, a single hug, or a single moment with them for granted.

My heart overflows with gratitude to Jehovah Rapha—The Lord Who Heals. He has faithfully carried us through every appointment, every scan, every surgery, every infusion, every setback, every victory, and every anxious night. He has answered prayers in ways I could never have imagined, reminding me over and over again that His faithfulness never fails.

I am forever grateful for the incredible medical team at the University of Tennessee. Thank you to Dr. B, Lynette, and everyone in Urology, and to Dr. G, Sara, and everyone in Oncology. You didn’t just treat my cancer—you cared for me as a person, encouraged my family, and gave us hope when we needed it most.

And to Drip VanWinkle—my stoma—thank you for giving me another shot at life. Adjusting to life with an ileal conduit has been difficult, but with the help of God Almighty, it is very doable. Every day is a reminder that even in the hardest changes, God provides grace for what we need.

To my teammates at CAVU International, thank you for standing by me throughout these past eight months. Your support, encouragement, patience, and kindness have meant more to me than I can adequately express. I am deeply grateful to work alongside such wonderful people.

To my mother, Kathy, and my brothers, Bill and Rob, thank you for your love, prayers, and encouragement throughout this journey. Your support has meant more to me than words can express.

To our pastor, Chris Kendall, and my church family at Oak City Baptist Church, thank you for faithfully praying with us and for us. Your prayers have been a constant source of strength for Denise and me throughout this journey. We have felt the love of Christ through each of you.

One of the greatest blessings we never expected was meeting so many incredible people in the infusion suite. God turned a place of treatment into a place of ministry. He gave Denise and me the privilege of listening to their stories, sharing ours, praying with them, and being reminded that even in the middle of suffering, God is still drawing people to Himself.

Cancer has changed me.

It has taught me that tomorrow is never promised, that every day is a gift, and that gratitude is a choice. It has deepened my faith, strengthened my marriage, and shown me the beauty of God’s presence in life’s hardest moments.

If my journey has proven anything, it’s this: God is still in the miracle-working business. He is still healing. He is still answering prayers. He is still faithful.

As I celebrate another birthday, I don’t celebrate because life has been easy. I celebrate because God has been faithful. My greatest gift isn’t life itself—it is salvation through Jesus Christ.

🎼 “God, I’m Just Grateful.” 🎼

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” — Psalm 103:2–3

To God be all the glory.

#GodImJustGrateful

#JehovahRapha

#ToGodBeTheGlory

#FaithOverFear

#GodIsFaithful

#CancerJourney

#CancerSurvivor

#BladderCancerAwareness

#HopeInChrist

#AnsweredPrayer

#TrustInTheLord

#BlessedBeyondMeasure

#GratefulHeart

#NeverGiveUp

#OneDayAtATime

#Psalm103

#SoliDeoGloria

#JesusSaves

#IlealConduit

#StomaLife