Sailor Winning Battle with Cancer, Thanks to Support

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Sailor Winning Battle with Cancer, Thanks to Support
Release Date: 2/12/2009
By Blair Martin, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A mission commander for 24 people was on an EP-3 aircraft on a routine deployment to Okinawa, Japan when he felt a surge of intense pain in his lower back.

Lt. Dennis Wischmeier was diagnosed with an advanced stage three cancer. The cancer had metastasized to his abdomen and had formed an 11-centimeter tumor that was pressing against Wischmeier's back, causing him great pain.

"The pain was so severe that I had to lay down in the middle of the aircraft and have the guys wrap their communications around me," he recalled. "I was just done. [Even though] I knew I was out of commission, I also knew we still had a mission to complete."

Because Wischmeier was an avid runner, base doctors in Japan initially thought the injury was sports-related. However, once he returned to the mainland, the diagnosis was worse than expected.

"Everything just happened so fast," he said. "[After all of the tests], I was called back in on a Thursday and within 24 hours, I was in emergency surgery."
The timing couldn't have been worse for Wischmeier and his family. His wife was five months pregnant with their son and they also had a three-year-old daughter to look after.

"The only way I could describe [my state] at that time was sheer shock," he said. "Life was going along so well for us and this [bombshell] just happened. Seeing them see me like this was very emotional [for me]," he added.

For the next five months, Wischmeier underwent multiple rounds of intense chemotherapy treatments. In the middle of one of his treatments, Wischmeier's son was born.

"That time was very bittersweet for me," he remembered.
"I wanted to be there for everything, but I was under a mountain of drugs at the time. It was very exciting, but it was [also] very difficult because even though he weighed only six pounds [at time of birth], I couldn't hold him that long. The chemo had just drained me," he explained.

Despite her husband's physical limitations, Wischmeier's wife said he insisted on being an active father to their three-year-old and newborn.

"We were pulling all-nighters, not only at the hospital but also at home," she said. "He was so wonderful. He would get the kids changed and diapered and wake me up so I could nurse and then he would rock them back to sleep. There were only a couple times during chemo where he just didn't have the strength," she added.

She also said that ironically, her husband's grim diagnosis has only made the family closer. "Even with these hardships, there have been good things to come from it," she said. "We wouldn't value each other as much or have the special memories or [level of] communication that we have today. We've all really grown as a family," she continued.

Now cancer-free, Wischmeier said he had to make a lateral transfer from his former naval aviation position to force intelligence officer for the commander of submarine forces in the Pacific.

"Because of the cancer, naval aviation said it would be difficult to keep me flying," he said. "Because I go in to get my blood checked every three to six months, they were nervous about the after-effects. I miss flying, but this is more of a nine-to-five position that allows me to spend more time with my family," he said.

Since moving to Hawaii in July 2008, Wischmeier and his family are excited about the bright future ahead of them. Despite facing many challenges as a Navy family, his wife said the military has been a blessing to her entire family.

"[As military wives], it is really easy for us to [complain] about our husbands being gone a lot or being uprooted all the time," she said. "But we should realize how awesome it is that we have a base that can provide us a house, school and medical care. Not only are our [spouses] defending the country, but their families are being taken care of. You just can't find that out in the civilian world," she added.

Wischmeier said the entire experience has changed his perspective on life and he hopes to help other service members in similar medical situations.

"Doctors will scare you to death. When I was diagnosed and going through treatments, I couldn't find any [survivors] my age who I could talk to which was very frustrating. That is why I volunteer my services or share my story at every command I am with, because I don't want anyone to go through this alone," he continued.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.

[shell]

thank you for sharing this with us

[valerie minton]

Im sorry for what you went threw I have a friend now who is in stage 4 ovarian cancer she has just had her 2nd kemo treatment the 1st one made her hair to start coming out she is very upset with that she has long beautiful redish hair,I went with her to get some head raps for surport told her its only hair it will grow back! I try to help her as much as I can! I hope she beats this she is 1 of the first friends I met when we moved to fla. so hearing your story helps me think she has a chance. I am gonna print out your story & let her read it if you dont mind. I think it will encurage her. & may god bless you & your family! new mom on board my son robert just left on the 27th of jan. valerie

[Mary]

Really puts things into perspective.

[PD]

My Navy son does not have cancer, but his dad has stage four lung cancer. So in a way our circumstances are somewhat similar. We are in Texas and our Ensign son is in Virginia taking care of our vets as a Navy nurse so he knows what could be going on with his dad, but still so far away. I pray daily for him to find a church home so he will have a church family to support him during his dad's illness and his adjustment to being a naval officer.