Possibilities: Perseverance, Grace and the Story of One Family's Life with Leukemia

I'm not going to lie. This is not an easy read. It is very well written, but that doesn't make it an easy read especially if you have young children. Really, if you have children of any age, because we all remember what it was like at that point in our lives when we were utterly and completely responsible for the protection and the shaping of those precious young, completely innocent people we had made. The most unusual thing about this book is that it was written in real time as a series of posts to a blog that I suspect were as much therapy and thought organization for the author as a source of information for family and friends about what was going on in their fight of a life time. I think it is safe to say it is a rollercoaster of a story with multiple hills that always seem to get bigger as it progresses. Just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the light gets snuffed out and you are back in fear, anxiety, and no idea what lies ahead. I literally had to put this book down several times because I couldn't handle the emotional drain of the subject matter. I know that may sound weak from someone who has never had to walk this dark and lonely road with any of his own children, but that's the point it brought this reader to on several occasions. But, most importantly, this is not a story about doom and gloom. It is a story about hope, faith, and the love of a father, a mother, and an 8 year old boy who would not accept any outcome other the reuniting of their family and a return to a quiet life that focuses on the really important parts that we all seem to forget about when things are going peachy. You will ask yourself, "Where do these people find this kind of strength and keep it together in the face of such dire circumstances over and over?" But they do. And the miracle of modern medicine and a little help from somewhere else make this a read that will change your understanding about the people that face these most soul searching journeys and cheer their good fortune when they emerge on the other side of the tunnel.

A good friend of mine told me about the book. I have read it. First, I feel I must say that what I thought of having a good vocabulary has run out of adjectives to describe this book experience. I say "book experience" because of my own personal reading was such as I began to put myself in the place of members of that family. In doing that, and experiencing the highs and lows plus uncertainties of the total story, it was not a book to just read and not stop, it was one I wanted to absorb in the way it was written. I could insert myself into the story (never having experienced anything like it, however) and feel those swings of highs and lows. The book was that well written so as to allow the reader to feel like being a part of the story. It certainly is a strong and feeling family from top to bottom and the story of Brennan, especially in view of the age he was at the onset defies my ability to describe. As I thought, how do you tell someone that age about what the situation is and what they are facing to the extent they might understand as compared to an older person who could reason, think, and understand what he was up against. It must have been a terrible feeling to know that Brennan is looking to you for most everything (in his world) and during those swings wonder if you are letting him down, etc. I could go on, but I will end by saying the story is one a person will never forget, and the description of the events, as they happened, were truly well done. Best of luck to the Simpkins family.

Turner Simkins has beautifully written an amazing and inspiring real life account of his courageous, young son Brennan’s 4 year battle against the seemingly insurmountable odds of childhood neuroblastoma. The book is a true life story of the strength of family, the courage of a small child and the power of prayer. Feel the hope and hopelessness thru the stream of consciousness web blogs Turner wrote over the course of 4 years that are woven seamlessly into the story. Turner makes the reader feel the raw range of emotions Turner and his wife Tara go thru along with the band of brothers as Brennan bravely fights thru many near death episodes. Feel the power of prayer and the positive effect of small gestures by friends and family. The book will move you to tears and make you search deep inside yourself to try and understand how you might react in similar circumstance, what would you do as Brennan’s parents and could you be as brave as Brennan? The book concludes knowing full well the story is not over, but it leaves you convinced that whatever the end of the story ultimately is, it has a purpose and Brennan and his Band of brothers will continue to Press On. Turner is a gifted writer and this book is a great read that will move your soul.

I have followed this story for several years, and now have had the opportunity to read the finished product. Turner Simkins is a gifted writer who has told the heartrending story of his son Brennan's battle for survival from a deadly form of childhood leukemia. Although as a reader you know that Brennan and this very tight knit family survive the incredible ordeal of four bone marrow transplants and professional recommendations to give up the fight, you are still on the edge of your chair as you read the chronology. Brennan and his family would simply not give up, despite the seemingly impossible odds stacked against them. With the expert and non-stop help of the talented and caring staff of St. Jude Hospital, Brennan made it through, to the utter amazement of many people, health care professionals among them. This is a very personal story of deep love, unwavering commitment and faith that will bring tears to the eyes of even the toughest of readers. If you have have a child with cancer, or know a family who does, this book will be a source of hope and perseverance.