"I'm sorry you left the hospital - I was enjoying reading your emails!"

At least two people commented, and I knew I was onto something bigger!

Imagine entering a country you never opted to visit - and all that during a war! This is how I experienced my sudden arrival in the hospital with a leukemia diagnosis.

Here are my email dispatches sent from the front line with dry humor and honesty - but no sentiment. I start with the lead-up to the action (performing the day before) and end with world travel.

A noble hero? At times, I felt more like the battleground itself! "Stay calm, lie flat, and drink plenty of water." It was others who fought: the medics, those who visited, prayed, and so on. Personally, in such circumstances, I doubt a patient's aggressively positive attitude makes much difference to the outcome - that may encourage some!

I have survived six years down the line - but come with me when there was no certainty, just a journey. The battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) led to rounds of chemo, a stem cell transplant, graft-versus-host, remission, and cure! After many dangers along the way, I reached and crossed that border.

If you appreciate journey/survival stories - or you or someone you care about is similarly enrolled for battle - come with me from 2014 to 2021 - it's safe!