Sat, Nov 21 2009
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Published December 24, 2008 05:06 am - It could be easy for John and Jessica Buskirk to take on more of the personality of Ebeneezer Scrooge than they would Tiny Tim during the holidays. After all, they spent their first three Christmases as a married couple at the Cleveland Clinic while John battled with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Ghost of Christmas past... With Jessica expecting twins, what should be the most joyous time for John Buskirk is again heartwrenching — the leukemia is back BOB ETTINGER Star Beacon A Bob Ettinger column...
It could be easy for John and Jessica Buskirk to take on more of the personality of Ebeneezer Scrooge than they would Tiny Tim during the holidays. After all, they spent their first three Christmases as a married couple at the Cleveland Clinic while John battled with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Odds are, the couple will once again be together today in the spot they’d least like to spend those precious moments. The leukemia has returned — again. But instead of dwelling on the negatives or the sad possibilities, the Buskirks will be counting their blessings. “I think (we’ll be counting our blessings),” John said from his hospital room at The Clinic. “There are still more good days than bad, even with all the crap that’s going on. It’s a little bit harder (on us). Life is tough, but it’s good. You’re tested when you’re broken down. It’s more a test of your reactions to things. Who you are is defined by how you act. “What will you be flexible about (when times are tough)? What will you be foolish and stupid about? This holiday season, without a doubt, we’ll counting our blessings.” And during a very dark hour in their lives, John, an assistant football coach at SS. John and Paul, and Jessica were shown a very bright light — actually, a pair of bright lights. A pair of true blessings. Jessica recently received the news she was pregnant, but that was what the couple was trying to accomplish all along, so no surprise there, really. The shocker was delivered when the pair were given the results of their first ultrasound. They are expecting identical twins. “Blessings come in great packages,” John, a 1993 St. John graduate, said. “God knows when you need something. To be given a gift like that makes such a difference overall. “It gives Jess and I something above ourselves to focus on and work toward. It gives us a future. It was the hardest thing, that first week.” Despite being in the hospital, John was able to be at Jessica’s side when she received the news. “We were at the same clinic,” Jessica said. “He was able to slip away from the chemo and be at the first ultrasound with me. When the doctor said identical twins, it was the second shock for us that week. It was definitely a huge shock.” The prognosis is pretty good for John. If the chemotherapy treatments he is receiving kick the ALL remission once again, he can receive a second bone marrow transplant from his brother, Bill, in mid-to-late January or early February. The transplant could come later if there are any setbacks. 
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