Jeff's Story

Jeff Shortly After Chemo

Jeff Now, Training for the PEAK Missoula Triathlon

My name is Jeff Runyan, I am a 13 year Military Veteran and have worked in Missoula for several years, I worked at Stimson Lumber at the Stud Mill until the Mill was closed, and I worked at Smurfit Stone until that mill was closed. But while I was working at Smurfit Stone something horrible and very freighting happened. Near the end of December 2008 I became very sick and was deteriorating rapidly, by the end of January I was diagnosed with cancer of unknown type. The second week of February 2009 I was near death so was given a round of chemo to save my life before the results of a biopsy was in from a pathology clinic. When the pathology report came in I was diagnosed with stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma. Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that affects roughly 100-300 people per year in the United States. This form of cancer can spread very rapidly, with tumors even doubling in size in less than 24 hours and it had spread to just about everywhere and I had tumors that were very large. It is one of the most aggressive malignancies known to man. Like wise the treatment process is just as aggressive in order to out smart and out match the speed of the cancer.

Through the treatment process I marched like the soldier I once was, bone marrow biopsy, 6-8 Intrathecal Injections (chemo therapy injections into the spinal fluid), more than 300 plus bag's of life saving antibiotic's, fluid's, nutrients and chemo, 8 transfusions, many bags of platlette's, more prescriptions than I can remember, I was treated with 4 rounds of the Magrath Protocol and spent nearly 70 days in a hospital bed. I was Neutropenic (zero white blood cells) for many, many days. I went from 195lbs to 155lbs in less than a month. Following the chemo therapy I was treated with 17 rounds of radiation. The cancer, treatment process, and recovery process is quite grueling. With this said I like to recognize the fact that without the Nurses, Oncologists, Radiologists and the staff of all these clinics as life savers and would like to thank them for all that they have done.

After I left the hospital my mind said go do whatever I could do but I soon realized that although my mind said go my body had something else in mind. I was still very sick, and although I went through the treatment, I didn’t recognize the fact hat I had changed physically. I soon realized that I had a huge physical deficit to overcome and began searching for ways to survive and overcome these devastating realizations. One day I remembered watching a news broadcast on one of our local news stations; if I could remember which one I would certainly give them recognition. The broadcast was about a local program called Fit to Fight and had a young lady that had Lymphoma in the story and how the program had helped her regain strength. I searched the internet and found the story. I called Peak and shortly after received an application in the mail. I sent in the application and a while later got a phone call that the program was starting and I had been invited to join. I went there and was quite nervous and almost lost it when I found out actually how weak I was and how bad I had deteriorated. With the help of Fit to Fight’s volunteer staff, I have gained back all my weight and overcome some of the obstacles that had befallen me. I don’t know what I would have done without their help.

Although I am a victim of cancer and it has taken a huge toll on me and my family I do not want it to define me as a person. With Fit to Fight’s help I am achieving this.


Check Out Jeff's Website Burkitt's Lymphoma Society at http://burkittslymphoma.org
The goal of Jeff's website it to "help fill a vital gap that is missing for people touched by Burkitt's. To assist others in their battle, this site aims to provide a forum to ask questions, get connected with other Burkitt's patients, and share moral support to one another. Here you will find informative links and articles, a discussion forum for current patients to connect with past patients and caregivers, and some encouraging insights only available from people who have been through the treatments for Burkitt’s lymphoma."