I’m learning a lot from Jim Kelly right now. Kelly is a big deal in Buffalo; not only did he lead us to four consecutive Super Bowls (yeah, it would’ve been nice if we won, but at least we got there), but he also remained in Buffalo when he retired and became an active citizen. We love it when athletes come here to play for one of our pro teams and end up staying (to paraphrase Sally Field: “You like us, you really like us!”).
While my everyday life is far from that of a pro football Hall of Famer, we do have some similarities right now. Along with the City of Buffalo and the sports world, I was disappointed to learn last month that Kelly’s cancer had returned less than a year after he was declared cancer free. Last summer, he was diagnosed with oral cancer that took part of his upper jaw. However, no post-surgical therapy was deemed necessary. Then, in March, it was reported that the cancer was back and had spread. I immediately thought two things: 1) this is why I’m glad I opted for chemo; and 2) cancer sure doesn’t discriminate. Here is a big, strong, tough guy, yet cancer has found its way back into his life in less than a year. How devastating it must be to get such a diagnosis. I won’t lie. It shook me up a bit because I thought, “This really can happen to anyone.”
The cancer is now in his sinus cavities and it turns out that surgery is currently not an option; instead he is undergoing a rigorous regiment of chemo and radiation. Like me, after his first chemo treatment, he got sick and had to go on antibiotics, thus postponing his second chemo cycle. I had been so down when that happened to me; watching how he handled the same thing, with faith and grace, was truly an inspiration. Kelly’s wife, Jill, has been quoted as saying: “It’s such a great opportunity for Jim to be on the same level as everyone else, for people to see him struggle and to identify with him. It gives everyone strength.” And that’s true. Their faith has been unwavering during this journey and watching them HAS offered strength.
I believe Kelly is supposed to start chemo again today, just like I am. However, he is facing a much larger battle than I am right now and a painful one at that. I was very blessed that I never had any pain with my cancer. Also, I’m cancer free now; my chemo is an insurance policy against it returning, not a treatment. So as I start my second cycle today (with my white blood cells having returned to fight), I’ll reflect on the faith lessons recently learned from the quarterback and his wife — that we must embrace the path we’re on, with all its bumps and detours, because it is a divine path — and I pray his recovery will be swift, and he and his family comforted in the meantime.
“We are confident in the one who leads the charge! And we celebrate Him” – Jill Kelly
Share the strength.
Sharing the Strength 
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