CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Community helps terminal cancer patient defy the odds

Maple Valley News - 5/21/2017

When John Schneider was diagnosed with Stage 3b terminal lung cancer, the first thing he asked was about his chances of survival. Schneider's doctor told him 5 to 10 percent of patients live another five years, 1 percent live another 20.

His doctor gave him 16 months to live, with treatment. That 16 months was up last December, and Schneider's doctor told him he's much better now than when he was diagnosed.

"If I'm right, I don't know, but if that's what God wants to happen," Schneider said with a smile. "I'm at peace with what's going on."

To understand Schneider's frame of mind, it helps to know how he got here. This isn't even the first time Schneider has fought cancer.

Schneider grew up in Charlotte, a popular student and football player.

"I was all jock," Schneider said.

He dropped out of high school and received a GED instead, with the intention of joining the Navy. He wanted to learn a trade, as he might in college, and had his sights set on becoming an aviation structural mechanic. But only a month and a half out of basic training, that door was closed when he was found to be colorblind. He was offered to either continue as a boatswain's mate, a kind of maintenance worker, or take an honorable discharge. Not knowing other options were available, Schneider chose the latter.

After the Navy, Schneider found work in welding, then residential construction, and started a life for himself. He married and had two children, Amy and Nathan. Schneider built his own house in Lansing, and was proud of his car and Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But he lived what he called a carefree life, drinking and getting into fights.

"I grew up with the understanding that God is a punishing God, so I thought, OK, I'm going to have fun until he does," Schneider said.

Schneider struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and things were further complicated when he was diagnosed with nasal pharyngeal carcinoma in 1996.

"It turned my life upside down," Schneider said. The doctor gave him a 50-50 chance of survival, and after radiation and six months of chemotherapy, Schneider was cured. But he still fought with addiction.

"I had it all and pretty much gave it all away because I chose to do all that stupid stuff," Schneider said.

Two years later, Schneider was homeless, having burned every bridge he had, with everything he owned in a backpack. He wandered the streets of Lansing, not knowing where to go, when he happened upon a switchblade knife, and pocketed it.

"I thought, ?This could come in handy,'" Schneider said.

"Then something said ?Go here,'" Schneider remembered.

"Here" was Community Mental Health, where Schneider walked in and told his story to one of the employees.

"He told me, ?There are drugs and alcohol out there, and you're just going to have to live with it,' and I pulled out the knife I'd picked up and said, ?No, I don't have to live it'," Schneider said. The man promptly excused himself and called the police, telling them Schneider had threatened him. But when the officer showed up, Schneider told him his story.

"We're going to get you some help, John," the officer said, before leaving to yell at the CMH employee, Schneider recalled.

Schneider spent four days in the hospital, and when he left, he turned to the Bible. Schneider was raised in a Catholic household and attended parochial elementary school, but was never very religious.

"I knew of Him, but did not know Him," Schneider said.

But in Alcoholics Anonymous, the second step of the 12-step program states that a person must come to believe that a power greater than themselves could restore them to sanity. The third step is to make a decision to turn their will and their lives over to the care of God as they understood Him.

"It totally changed my life," Schneider said.

AA become his home away from home, and he was able to start rebuilding his life.

Schneider went back to school, attended Lansing Community College and became a certified nursing assistant.

"I've always cared about people, but the selfish part of me was running my life," Schneider said.

After becoming a CNA, he held jobs caring for elderly people in their homes. The personal connections he made and the improvements he could make in their lives gave Schneider a feeling of pride.

In 2015, Schneider was diagnosed with lung cancer. But instead of turning to the bottle, Schneider turned to his church, Kilpatrick United Brethren, and the support that has been there for him.

Another support for Schneider has been his daughter, Amy. A recent graduate of Ferris State University, Amy explained that her father has always been her rock, and she has tried to be the same. She was there when Schneider was diagnosed with cancer and remembered his first questions about his odds.

"He wanted a mark that he could beat," said Amy, "He was determined to prove them wrong."

Amy talked about her father as someone who loves people. During a family vacation to Canada, Schneider spotted someone on the street he had known from school. When Amy introduced her dad to her boyfriend's parents, Schneider recognized his father from a softball game in high school.

"My dad will go out of his way for anybody else, no matter what he's going through," said Amy.

He has helped support her throughout her life, she said, and is currently helping her work on her new house. But she also said he has never been one to ask for help, so it's nice to know he has a support system of people who help look out for him.

Schneider called one of those people when his car broke down on the way to a chemo treatment two weeks ago. Living on disability, Schneider said he has only $15 or $20 left after he pays his bills for the month. He didn't have the money to afford a tow truck, so a friend recommended Schneider call Davis Auto Mart in Charlotte.

"We pulled the gentleman in, and heard his struggles," said Jeff Lutz, manager at Davis.

Schneider's engine was shot, and he would need a new one. Lutz did the math; if they discounted the cost of labor and towing, Schneider would need $1,800 for a new engine.

"We started planning, ?How can we do this?" Lutz said. He put an announcement out on Facebook, explained the situation, and asked for donations, pledging to match the contributions that came from the community. As of Thursday, $450 has been donated, with Davis' match, they're halfway to the goal.

"It's really nice to have the community come forward," said Lutz.

When he told Schneider he would receive any donations beyond the cost of the repair, Lutz was struck by his response.

"He said that, ?In a situation like this, I would probably just pay it forward and donate it to somebody else.' I think that showed a lot of heart and character," said Lutz.

As for Schneider, he thanked God for saving him again and connecting him with the right people.

"They're Godsends, no doubt about it, they have a heart," Schneider said.

As for the future, Schneider said he's already got one year out of those five down.

"When He calls me home, He calls me home," Schneider said, "But I'm thankful for each day that I can get up and the sun is shining and I get to talk to my kids."

For more information on how to donate, visit Davis Auto Mart or call 517-543-3750.

Nationwide News