It has been six years now since my life was turned upside down. In January 2018 a concerning lump was found coming out of my sternum. While I was assured that it was probably nothing, an x-ray led to a biopsy, and a biopsy led to a diagnosis of non-Hodkins lymphoma. While I always took pride in having a big heart for my work, I ironically had an inoperable form of cancer growing next to it. I was quickly left to contemplate terms like “treatment options” and “survival rate.” When you have three little ones and a wife at home, those terms do not sit well. When you have lost as many as I have to cancer, including my two-year-old nephew just six months earlier, the thought of it is all is just simply terrifying.
What could I do? What did I do? I put my faith in God, I put my trust in my medical professionals, and I relied on my army of cheerleaders to keep my spirits high. I went through over 600 hours of chemo, an experience that was traumatizing, humbling, and uplifting. As difficult as the process was, I was so inspired by the way in which my wife, my family, my friends, my colleagues, and so many of you stepped up to support me in ways both big and small. For that I will always be forever thankful. I was reminded that some days you are the one who needs to provide support and some days you are the one in need of receiving support. Whatever your situation is, you should never shy away from either.
My first scan post-treatment revealed the best news one could hope for: no sign of cancer activity. While I was not cured, I was in remission! I had been given an extended life, so long as the cancer didn’t return. For the past five years I have been living my life scan to scan, praying that the cancer would not return. With each scan has come the anxiety, the worries, the test in faith, and ultimately the good news that I remain cancer-free. As worrisome as it can be living scan to scan, I didn’t let that prevent me from living life. I returned to working with some of the greatest educators in the world and I returned to speaking around the country, something that brings me tremendous joy.
My wife and I had always dreamed of having four children. In 2018 instead of having a kid we had cancer. With the amount of chemo that was pushed through my system I was quite sure our days of having children were over. But in early 2020, right around the time the world was shutting down, we received the best news: we were pregnant. Life found a way. We welcomed Evelyn Grace into the world in the fall of 2020 and she has brought so much joy into our family since then. We named her Evelyn Grace because Grace was the name of the primary chemo nurse who saved my life. Just as we leave our mark on the students we support, she left a lifechanging mark on me and my family. The least we could do is memorialize her work by giving our daughter her name.
Fast forward to the end of 2023 and my family had an opportunity to celebrate once more. My end of year scan came back clean one last time. On December 21 my oncologist spoke the words I had been waiting to hear for so long, “Patrick, you are officially considered cured.” I made it to my five-year mark! No more anxiety, no more scans, we could not be more thrilled! The cancer chapter in my life is officially over. I cannot express how big of a relief this is. I am excited to turn my focus to what is ahead of me and to what I have sitting right in front of me in my family.
I again thank you all for the support you have given me over the years. Hold tight to your loved ones, take joy in the work we get to do, and be thankful for the precious time you have been given.
-Patrick Mulick
So happy for you! Praises to the Lord! He’s got more for you to do!