Tragedy's Gift: Surviving Cancer

Tragedy’s Gift

Kevin Sharp

with Jeanne Gere

Tragedy’s Gift

By Kevin Sharp with Jeanne Gere

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or in any form by any means, except in brief quotations in a review, without the express written consent of the author.

Printed in Cincinnati, Ohio

ZassCo Publishing - www.zasscopublishing.com

for

Yada Yada Inc.

PO Box 967

Springhill, TN 37174

Editor: Sue Veldkamp

www.matschca.com

Cover Design: Marc Giguere

Sue Veldkamp

Photo Credits: Nancy Andrews

Library of Congress Control Number:

2004107793

ISBN Number: 0-9758512-1-7

Copyright © 2004 Kevin Sharp

This book is dedicated to the memory of Carter T. “Coach” Williams. We love and miss you.

Index

Growing Up 15

A Dry Night 19

On The Move 23

The Diagnosis 42

Radiation and Chemotherapy 55

The Poster 71

David Foster 74

The Ward 82

Nights: Something Left To Do 86

Round Two 91

Kelly 95

Remission 98

It’s Always Something 105

Rebuilding a Body and Soul 109

Building a Dream 115

Showcase 120

The Real Journey Begins 124

The Business of Making Music 127

Tattoo 132

‘
Til Death Do Us Part 136

Matthew’s Wish 142

Another Dream Comes True 147

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly 150

Duty Calls 155

Would You Like Fries With That? 159

Lemonade 162

A Ray of Light 168

Survival Equation 173

P.O. Box 888

Camino, CA 95709

[email protected]

Thanks for your support!

Marlene Urso, President

Elaine Mattei, Vice President

Introduction

When I was first asked to consider a new writing assignment with a country music artist, I was reluctant. The only thing I knew about Kevin Sharp was that he once had cancer and more recently, some number one hit songs. I concluded that he must have been having a pity party about his past and self-absorbed about his present success. The prospect was not very enticing to say the least. I didn’t know if I was up for the task because I never did well when it came to people with large egos or fragile temperaments.

However, eighteen months and one extraordinary book later, I am pleased to stand corrected. I sit here writing these comments with a whole new attitude about Kevin Sharp. I have an overwhelming amount of respect for him as a person, an artist and a humanitarian.

From our very first meeting when Kevin recalled his childhood and the love he felt for his family, I was hooked. It was clear to me that I had misjudged him completely. I wholeheartedly wanted to help him write his story.

Then one day in the midst of working, Kevin told me that he didn’t look forward to our sessions because they brought back too many painful memories and feelings from difficult times. That’s when I knew we were working on a story that would really touch people’s hearts. He was not going to compromise the truth to spare his own suffering. I watched Kevin wrestle with the past and go through torment all over again so his story could be told with honesty. He never held back the truth to spare feelings or to sugarcoat the severity of the situation.

I could see the compassion on his face as he talked about the sacrifice his family and so many other families made for their children. His longing to make a difference was evident every time his mind wandered back to his days in the pediatrics ward. His excitement for music can light up a room, and his desire to speak about hope and strength and never giving up is clearly a driving force in his life.

This book is just the tip of the iceberg for Kevin Sharp. He has so many more things to say and many more books in his heart. I know life is going to continue to take Kevin in many directions, but I also know that Kevin is well equipped to handle the good, bad, and anything in between. He walks hand in hand with faith, kindness, hope, love and perseverance.

I am proud to call Kevin Sharp my friend, and I am honored to be a part of this book.

With love and respect,

Jeanne Gere

Forward

“
Pain, I know it well. I lived with it in Hell.” These lyrics were sung by Kevin in the church musical “Joshua,” when he played a Roman Centurion Officer dealing with pain because he’d been part of King Herod’s rampage to kill babies at the time of Christ’s birth. Kevin told us then that every song he sings must have meaning to him. The feelings he put into singing this song came from his soul because he understands mental, physical and emotional pain.

Our son has told us that he wishes he could make a difference in people’s lives, to touch people and make their days better. He has no idea how many lives he has touched and the difference he has made. His “Friends Club” staff has, on many occasions, sent us copies of letters that prove this to be true.

One letter came from a mother who said she heard Kevin singing, “Nobody Knows” over the loud speaker while shopping at Wal-Mart. She could not leave the store until she purchased the CD because “Nobody Knows” said it all. She mentioned her young son could determine her mood by the song she was listening to. If it was “Nobody Knows,” then he knew she was feeling blue, but when it was “Strength to Love,” he knew her spirits were up. The letter said, “Thanks for your music.” It was signed at the end with an address and phone number.

“
I’m alright, I’m okay and I’ll live to fight another day because I’ve got hope and that’s enough until I find the strength to love.”

A week or so after the first letter, a second one arrived stating that she had been sitting at the dining room table reading over her divorce papers when the telephone rang. Her son answered it and started shouting as he ran toward her. “It’s Kevin Sharp, Mom.” This experience is something our son never told us about. He’s like that. He doesn’t like to boast; he helps when he can and it goes way beyond cancer-related incidents.

We appreciate the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Kevin wasn’t our first experience with them. Our granddaughter Danielle was 4 ½ years old when she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Make-A-Wish sent the family to Disneyland in California as her wish. So when Kevin was diagnosed, his sister Lisa suggested contacting Make-A-Wish again. Kevin was scared and angry. The wish made a difference. It gave him a reason to live and we are eternally grateful. We have, since then, worked continually as wish granters and fund raisers for the Foundation.

We have personally visited with families with sick children and listened to their dreams. We have been able to be part of their fulfillment of trips to Disney World, new computers, wide screen televisions, shopping sprees and a horse like Trigger, as well as meeting Dale Evans and others. As we look into the eyes of new Make-A-Wish families, we know they don’t realize what lies ahead and how much strength will be needed. The whole family fights for survival.

As Kevin’s mother, I had the privilege of going to the Make-A-Wish National Conference in Phoenix to accept in his place a “Wish Grantor of the Year” award because Kevin was in the hospital having surgery to repair his damaged hip. We realized then he had learned that by giving back he was gaining strength. Make-A-Wish gave to him and he was giving back.

Nothing thrills us more than to see Kevin perform on stage and now that he is an inspirational speaker, it thrills us even more. At every concert he says that we should learn to accept the differences in each other and love one another more. We are proud of our son and this book. It’s another way for him to reach out. If he can help one other person, he feels he has accomplished a great deal.

We are proud parents of all of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Blessings All,

Glen and Elaine Sharp

Preface

Maybe this was Heaven and I really did die, and now I get to realize my wildest dreams. Imagine, me sitting in a seat directly behind Garth Books, nominated for, “New Male Vocalist of the Year.” Imagine, me on an awards show I had watched time and time again on TV in my living room.

I had so many mixed emotions that night. The excitement of being somewhere I had fantasized about my entire life, sitting among my heroes who were now considered my peers. Let’s face it; it’s not every day that someone like me has moments like these.

I was sitting next to my dad, watching him enjoy this adventure as much, if not more than I was. I cringed as I watched him tap Garth on the shoulder numerous times to ask questions. I felt embarrassed like in those crazy nightmares where I had just walked into school and forgot my pants! But the thrill lessened any feelings other than unbelievable.

Then it hit me, this couldn’t be Heaven because I also felt sadness welled up inside me as I remembered the loss of my dear friend and an important part of my management team, Jeff Yoke, who died in a car crash just two days earlier while picking up my tuxedo for this glamorous event. His efforts were a part of the reason I was able to be in this place.

All of these emotions bubbling around inside of me must be the reason for the tears streaming down my face. Joy with sadness, pleasure with pain; I was no stranger to these ironies. Up to this point, my life was full of them.

Growing Up

Most of my early childhood memories are a blur. I grew up in a home with my parents and a large family of eight children. I was born on December 10, 1970. My dad, Glen Sharp, was a bishop in our church, which would equate to a priest or pastor in other denominations. Dad owned a legal company that provided multiple services to lawyers and the court system. He juggled church and work with the grace of a gazelle. The importance of attending church was greatly instilled in us during my upbringing.

My father also loved music. I know he dreamed of being a singer in his younger years. If he hadn’t met my mom when he did, I think he might have tried for a career as a performer. In my eyes he was a successful performer. In fact, I thought he was the best. I know that my mom and the rest of us were glad he turned his focus to his family.

Right before I was born, Dad made commercials for the car company he worked for. Rumor has it that his favorite sales pitch was that he, “had cars coming out of his ears,” and in one commercial he actually wore little cars in his ears. I guess a true performer will do whatever it takes to entertain his audience. I am glad my peers were only newborns at that time!