09 Jun Kyle McQuillen, Post-Cancer

Kyle McQuillen (right) and his wife, Marlouise, served as UB missionaries in Sierra Leone and later pastored the College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. From 1993-2001, Kyle served as Director of Global Ministries. He and Marlouise then retired to a home in Edgewater, Fla., though Kyle has remained very active as a prison chaplain and on staff with Edgewater Alliance church.

In early 2012, Kyle was diagnosed with cancer, and thus began a long journey. On his Facebook page, Kyle gave a very positive update.

Kyle McQuillen

This week was marked by another milestone in my journey with cancer.

In January, 2012 I was diagnosed with lymphoma and began an exhaustive chemo treatment for the next several months until April 2012, when my cancer went into remission. However, by that time my immune system was totally compromised and I spent the next several months in and out of the hospital.

In August 2012, I began to recover but found it necessary to continue on “post cancer” treatment. For the past 22 months I have been receiving infusions each month of two treatments: IVIG, which is designed to build up the immune system; and RITUXIN, which is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. These infusions have been administered through a port and generally take anywhere from 4-7 hours each.

This past Thursday, June 5th, was my final infusion. My immune system has fully recovered to pre-cancer days. For example, my platelet count had gone down to 17-25 at my low point. Now those platelets are at 230, which is where they ought to be! All my blood work is now normal, for which I praise God.

I am feeling great, working for the Florida Department of Corrections at Tomoka State Prison 55 hours a week and still on staff at my local church as visitation and member care pastor. Two months ago I started an exercise program of one full hour of swimming each day, and I love it! I’m 76 now and enjoying life as much as ever!