Russ Licht will soon reach an important milestone on his cancer journey: his 5-year transplantaversary.

Russ was featured in “An Impressive Circle of Friends” in June of 2019, which was the first Story of Hope to appear on Hope Has Arrived. These articles have been read more than 600,000 times and counting.

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2017, Russ faced the daunting uphill battle of a bone marrow transplant and the long recovery. Yet, through prayer, the support of his family and friends and stellar medical care, he survived.

More than just surviving, these days Russ is thriving. Since we last talked, his health continues to improve, he lived through another hurricane and he continues to enjoy celebrating his new lease on life with his impressive circle of friends. He looks forward to marking his 5-year transplantaversary with them soon.

It’s been more than three years since we last talked with you. How are you doing?

I am just loving life right now. I’m having fun living and enjoying my family. I am also getting the opportunity to encourage other survivors. I get excited about milestones like seeing each of my kids graduate from college and looking forward to seeing them get married. I may even live long enough to be a grandpa.

So, you mentioned that this December will be your 5^th transplantaversary. What does that word mean and why is it significant for you?

December 19 will be the official day of my transplantaversary, which means I celebrate the day I had a bone marrow transplant to treat my cancer. Once I survive five years, my medical team will use the word “cure”—which is incredible, compared to when they wondered if I would live to see another day. Come this December, I’m going to be jumping up and down.

Do you have any big plans to celebrate?

My wife and I spent our 25^th wedding anniversary in the hospital when I was diagnosed. So, this fall, we celebrated our 30^th anniversary by taking a trip to the Northeast and doing some leaf peeping. We travelled to Maine, and worked our way back toward Florida. It was an awesome time of celebrating life, something I don’t take for granted!

What do you remember about that Christmas of your transplant?

I spent Christmas 2017 in the hospital, because it was only six days after my transplant. My kids will tell you that it was the worst Christmas ever because we celebrated in my hospital room and I wasn’t feeling well. We had a nice family time, but by the middle of the afternoon, I was losing energy and could hardly carry on a conversation. Things kept getting worse before New Year’s day and gave us a little hope that the battle was turning in my favor. So these days, when our family gathers for Christmas, we retell that story and celebrate life.

Speaking of life saving, how has surviving this type of cancer changed your perspective?

Other survivors can attest to this, but I know what it is like to walk up to death’s door. And I’ve become more comfortable with death, and I fear it less than I used to. As a result, life feels sweeter and more precious. I’m also comfortable talking about this subject with others, which has given me many opportunities to encourage others.

On the topic of encouraging others, can you tell us more about that?

I’ve connected with cancer survivors over Caring Bridge. My wife used this site when I was in the hospital and recovering, and we have hundreds of followers. So sometimes I will comment on posts and connect with people that way. Other times, people impacted by cancer will contact us directly and want to talk and we often do. Recently, I also visited a friend in hospice who has been battling cancer for 11 years. My wife and I had such a sweet conversation with her, about the hope of heaven and getting to see Jesus face to face, which is something I’m looking forward to as well.

You talk about your circle of friends being vital in your healing process. As time as passed, how does that look now?

During the first few years of my journey, I couldn’t do very much because I had such low energy and recovering from my transplant. And all of these people came and helped us, including after Hurricane Irma. It’s been fun to see people who prayed for me and helped me. I’m their miracle. I have this continued bond these people and know they will be celebrating my 5-year transplantaversary with me.

So, you recently faced another hurricane?

This September, with Hurricane Ian bearing down on us, we laughed and joked around about me getting a chance to redeem myself, because the last time I didn’t have the energy to prepare much. And I did. I had all my preparations in place before the storm hit. I was even out sandbagging and setting out water barriers at midnight as the water was approaching all around our house. We did our own cleanup as the flood waters started receding two days later. It was awesome to feel mostly whole again and to have the strength to do the hard work and physical labor.

What advice would you give others who are facing cancer?

There’s a song, “Live Like You Are Dying.” I think it’s a good thing to live with this perspective. This doesn’t mean living wild. It means having meaningful experiences and time with friends and family and the people you care about most.

Like I mentioned in my first story of hope, it’s never too late to start your own circle of friends. Make friends with everyone you meet on your cancer journey, at your cancer care facility or even just in your normal activities.

My circle of friends has proved vital in my healing process, during my early days of cancer, and even now, nearly five years later. I can’t wait to celebrate my new lease on life with them this December.

Your circle of friends could prove vital for you, too.

 

To read Russ’s first story, see Circle of Friends. 

If you are looking for more ways to connect with others, check out our Prayer and Support Group on Facebook. 

You can also learn more about Asking God for Help on your journey. 

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