StemCell Therapy

Click photo to enlarge

Don Lichi, a psychologist and president of Emerge Ministries Inc., talks about his battle with bone marrow cancer and how it is affecting his life, during an interview at his office on Jan. 31.

AKRON, Ohio — Don Lichi has always wanted to leave a legacy of a life well-lived.

Exactly what that means has been at the center of his thoughts since November, when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow).

"At the moment my doctor used the word 'cancer,' my life changed. I have always been a caregiver, but I've had to learn to receive" said Lichi, a prominent psychologist and vice president of Akron, Ohio's Emerge Ministries. "As a man of faith, I am a big believer in healing. I pray for healing.

"If God chooses to take me, I want to be ready for that, too. But I want my life to have been lived in a way that is worthy of being remembered."

A life-changing time

Lichi, 59, was preparing in November for his 12th marathon when he started having excruciating back pain. At first, his doctor thought it might be a slipped disk, but subsequent medical tests revealed it was cancer.

Now, Lichi is undergoing treatment that is preparing him for a stem cell transplant.

"Your life can change on a dime. One day you're moving along, seemingly healthy, with a lot of energy and a fulfilling ministry, and then your world is turned upside down," a visibly emotional Lichi said. "My tears come pretty quickly — sometimes out of pain, sometimes out of the joy of knowing I'm not going through this journey alone, sometimes out of frustration, sometimes out of fear of the unknown — but I am thankful that

I have an inner compass, which is Jesus Christ, to guide me as I go through this storm."

In addition to being on the leadership team at Emerge (a full-service evangelical Christian mental-health outpatient center in Akron, Ohio), Lichi is an adjunct professor at Ashland Theological Seminary and Trinity International University in Illinois. He has spoken about pastoral health, Christian education, parenting, marriage and family issues, at various conferences and workshops, and published several articles on Christian mental health.

He has also done ministry in India, Brazil, Thailand, Ecuador, Germany, Switzerland, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Romania, China, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and Nicaragua. He has served as counsel to pastors and ministry leaders.

Following own advice

The Rev. Paul Sartarelli, senior pastor at The Chapel, is a friend and ministry partner. Sartarelli was with Lichi when he received the cancer diagnosis and said Lichi has graciously applied the same coping mechanisms to his own life that he has counseled others to use.

"He has really dealt with this well. It's a testimony of who he is. He is a man full of faith. He is a man full of wisdom," Sartarelli said. "As a counselor, he always has great advice, and he is practicing all of the things that he has encouraged others to do over the years. He has been an immeasurable resource to others. Now, it's time for us to come alongside him and be his support system."

The diagnosis Nov. 8 showed the multiple myeloma had attacked a section of his lumbar, putting pressure on his sciatic nerve root and rendering him unable to walk. A December surgery was successful in inflating a balloon to reposition the damaged section of the lower lumbar. Although the procedure gave Lichi some relief, the pain continues.

A recent MRI shows the cancer, which has occupied more than half of his bone marrow, has reached bones of his lumbar, chest, neck and hips. Lichi, who uses a wheelchair, reacted to the news by focusing on what he called "the good news": The cancer does not appear to be in the spinal cord.

God's intervention

Lichi also is focusing on what he calls "God moments" — times when it is clear to him that his source of strength is intervening on his behalf. One of those instances occurred in January, when his primary oncologist prescribed a crucial medication that cost $8,000 out-of-pocket for three weeks of treatment.

"We had no idea how we were going to pay for it, but I trusted God and asked my family and friends to pray with me for whatever God could provide," Lichi said. "An anonymous source called my office one morning, and by the end of the day, the cost of the (first round of) Revlimid was completely covered. I can't tell you how grateful we are to the couple who provided for that and all of the people who have prayed, sent cards, prepared a meal, showed an act of kindness and shared their love."

His treatment includes pain medication, which has been reduced over time, steroids to reduce inflammation and another round of Revlimid. He just completed his fourth round of chemotherapy, which began in November, and needs to complete two more rounds before his bone marrow transplant.

A circle of care

Lichi has found comfort and support in his relationships with his clients, friends and family. His church family at Stow Alliance Fellowship is in that circle of care. He shared his testimony in church to thank congregants and to encourage them to build strong relationships with God and each other.

"When we're shaken as deeply as Don has been with something like cancer, there has to be a foundation within. He is demonstrating that it's the relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, and the relationships with others that enable you to say, 'Even this does not have to overwhelm me,'" said the Rev. John Kitchen, senior pastor at Stow Alliance Fellowship. "Don is showing us that even though we are devastated, even though our very existence may come into question, the facts about who God is and what God continues to provide for us doesn't change."

Before becoming a psychologist, Lichi thought he would be a minister. As a counselor, he finds himself helping pastors, who are among his clients, and considers his work a ministry, or calling of God.

"One of my greatest joys is helping men and women fulfill their call as ministers. It is incredibly fulfilling. Part of what I want to be remembered for is ministering to those who are on the front lines of the faith community," Lichi said. "God has blessed me with the opportunity to help others heal, to embrace the gift of life. I just hope I am remembered for the love that I have tried to give to others."

Visit link:
CANCER, HOPE AND FAITH: Ill therapist finds strength in God, friends

This entry was posted on February 25, 2012 at 12:26 pm and is filed under Stem Cell Russia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |