'All part of saving my life': Veteran tackles leukemia with positivity, great VA care
When Dan Aumend was told he had cancer with only months to live, he understandably could have become depressed and even bitter. Instead, he did just the opposite.
The U.S. Navy Veteran has become an inspiration to doctors, nurses and his fellow patients at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center for his positive, even humorous, approach to his battle with leukemia.
“To have the leukemia I have, it’s pretty serious,” he said. “But when you’re prescribed such a serious illness, you might as well have some fun.”
“Dan is truly an exceptional patient,” said Tiffany Staples, assistant nurse manager on 4C, where Aumend has become a frequent visitor during his treatment. “He approaches life, his treatment and his family with unwavering optimism, making him an inspiration to everyone around him. … Having him here at the VA is an absolute pleasure.”
Dan Prodoehl, another assistant nurse manager on 4C, agreed, calling Aumend “a true testament to the human spirit and Veterans’ ‘never give up’ attitude.”
“Despite his diagnosis and his daily battles, he maintains a smile. … He and his wife have a way about them that make you feel special and appreciated.”
Dire prognosis
Aumend, 53, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in late October, with an initial prognosis of having 2-10 months to live.
“That’s pretty scary,” he said.
He was admitted to 4C to begin chemotherapy and was immediately impressed with the care he received — not just the nurses and doctors, but the food service and housekeeping crews as well.
He vowed to do all he could to return that kindness and care.
He learned the names of everyone he encountered and made it a point to greet them and ask how they were doing. Despite enduring the physical devastation that chemotherapy can wreak, Aumend would joke with the staff, hold gabfests in his room and make it a point to stay positive.
The staff responded in kind: One nurse dubbed him the “prom king” of 4C, and he gave himself the nickname of the “handsome unicorn,” sporting a unicorn hat on his regular walks through the unit.
Inevitably, Aumend would end up in the same room on 4C when he would come for his treatments —"one of the worst rooms on the fourth floor — really small, no view,” he joked — but staff would greet him with signed posters and a “welcome back” sign.
“This is all part of saving my life,” he said. “Being able to smile and get along with everyone really makes the most out of a bad situation. It’s the mental health aspect: I not only need the knowledge of the medical professionals, but the smiles and the camaraderie. They are there for me.”
And the staff on 4C are equally appreciative of Aumend.
“We are proud to help Dan and his family through his journey and are grateful for his service,” Prodoehl said. “His enduring spirit reminds us of our mission and why we have chosen the VA.”
“His resilience and kindness are a testament to the legacy of care and love that surrounds him,” Staples said. “Caring for Dan comes naturally; his presence alone makes it easy to stop by just to say hello. And remarkably, while you may visit him to lift his spirits, he somehow manages to brighten yours instead.”
'The care is overwhelming'
And Aumend has nothing but praise for the care he receives at the Milwaukee VA.
“The people are so nice. They legitimately care about you,” he said. “I’m treated like I’m special. The care and the detail is just overwhelming.”
Aumend’s wife, Michele — affectionately nicknamed “The Admiral” by Dan —said she has been duly impressed as well.
“The level of care he has received has made a huge difference,” she said. “It sucks as an experience — you never want this to happen — but from the biggest to the smallest, the care has been phenomenal. You feel like you’re part of a family. Their kindness, caring and compassion are just overwhelming. More Veterans need to realize this isn’t the VA of the ’70s or ’80s.”
The battle isn't over
Aumend has responded well to his chemotherapy, saying he went from a prognosis of “I should be dead by now” to being almost cancer free. His level of cancer is at 4 percent; if he stays below 5 percent, he can receive a bone marrow transplant, ideally this spring.
“I went from having months to live to having years and decades,” he said. “That’s music to my ears.”
However, the battle is not over. His treatments are continuing, and a bone marrow transplant is a painful experience.
“I don’t have an easy road; my next round of chemo is pretty hairy. It’s very serious,” he said, but then showed his trademark humor and positive approach.
“I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m in there with a big ax,” he said.