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

by N. Turner Simkins

BRENNAN SIMKINS WAS DIAGNOSED with a rare subtype of leukemia on his seventh birthday.
The next four years gave witness to one of the most improbable stories in the history of pediatric cancer. Unwilling to accept a hopelessly terminal diagnosis after his first relapse, his parents found the one research institution willing and capable of designing new treatment protocols and therapies to keep him alive until a cure could be identified. For the next four years, Brennan's determination of will inspired his doctors and transformed the hearts of all who witnessed it. This work is a chronicle of near tragedy, spiritual reconciliation, and redemption, presented through the perspective of a devoted father. Possibilities is a brave and true-life story of the fighting spirit of one little boy who overcame daunting medical odds while transforming the lives of others.

Turner Simkins began his writing career as a staff writer at the Augusta Herald prior to his freshman year at Washington and Lee University, where he majored in philosophy and minored in English. He claims that "writing is the only inherent trait that has allowed [him] to cul- tivate a respectable business career," referring to his twenty-five-year professional life and current role as director at both Newfire Media,a digital advertising agency, and Blue Beech, a New Urbanist real estate consulting firm. He lives in North Augusta, South Carolina, with his wife Tara and their three sons. He is a co-founder of, and actively engaged with, the pressonfund.org, which seeks less toxic cures for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia and neuroblastoma.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Argentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true page Turner! A unique written biography, in chronological order with contemporary language and motion picture feel to it. This story lures you in and makes you see the world different because the author eloquently explains how this boy's innocence and strength teaches us. Brennan focused on the present, and his focus was amazing in that he was very cooperating with the doctors and parents. When treatments were performed and he was in recovery under much discomfort, he managed to place his focus on legos and paper airplanes. This boy is something else, he focused on living every step of the way and was grateful for all the love he was receiving from his family. That's all that mattered to him and never complained about what he was going through. He simply fought on and found ways to enjoy himself such as playing hockey with his brothers in the hospital hallway with him being the goalie using his IV tree. I find the author's voice to be witty and modern written in a philosophical easy to understand city voice to it. A biography delivered with catchy language that you can't put down!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this author's account of his son's battle against leukemia. The book consists mainly of blog entries that he wrote as his son was going through the illness and treatments, which gives it a sense of immediacy. My one issue with the book is that it felt like very little content was added to the blog entries - just a few transition statements between sections.

Overall, it is a heartening story of a family's triumph through difficult circumstances. They seem almost too perfect, though.

I received this book through www.netgalley.com.

[Tracy Stolarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Some of the religion talk got a little heavy but the medical story and the family's struggle to stay together and be as normal as possible in the most abnormal situation was really good. It read more like fiction but every bit of it was REAL. Simkins is a real writer too…not just a Dad with a blog. I was pleasantly surprised to see he had real skills. Would love to see him write something else…maybe fiction?

[Tfalcone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an advanced reading copy from net galley.

Great story about one family's fight against leukemia and everything that could possibly go wrong. Amazing strength in the family int hat they never give up and amazing commitment by doctors and nurses to keep this boy alive.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a good book because of the subject matter, but engrossing as you followed the struggle to keep this young boy alive. A real roller coaster of highs & lows. Provided by publisher and Netgalley.

[Kristina Franken]

Really looking forward to reading this book. I have recieved this book for free from goodreads.com and am in no way bound to give a good review.