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The blessed survivor, Landyn, looking up at his Mom, Misty, and Dad, Caleb, with Ryland.
Landyn was being taken repeatedly and very often to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte for treatments. The fight for survival was on! His loving parents fought and prayed often daily. They were most grateful for the support and financial aid being given to them by the community. Their son had t-cell leukemia. It was fearful and draining their son. His cancer was discovered when treatment was given for his swollen lymph nodes.
The fund raisers continued as did the constant trips to Charlotte. In 2009, two years later, I requested a follow up interview. His parents agreed but this time I had to conduct the interview outside behind Spindale’s First Baptist Church. Landyn was so weak and susceptible to disease, he could not be in an enclosed space for fear of contracting germs. As I met the Johnson’s outside and behind the church, a new member of the family was there. They had been blessed with another son and the baby was named Ryland. The five of us stood together as I asked the questions to do a feature story on Landyn. I was told that the previous November, things had gotten worse and he had gone into a coma. He was once again at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. It was a fearful time and his folks and doctors were very concerned. Medical attention and the added power of prayers were constant. Finally, after 14 days, he ame out of the coma.
If you are not a believer, the following will change your mind. As he opened his eyes and looked around at the doctors, attending staff, and his mom and dad, this five year old little boy said: “Jesus said I can stay with you a little longer!” He then added, as he looked at his father: “Jesus has hair just like yours!”
His parents were so very thankful and continued to give their son the attention he needed to defeat the disease. However, it seemed that someone else had taken control. After coming out of the coma, things slowly started to get better. There was no doubt that Landyn Johnson was not only special but very blessed. After all, he had seen and spoke with Jesus!
Misty and Caleb became focused not only on a cure, but also giving their beloved son a normal life. Baseball is his favorite sport and he wants to be a pitcher. He bats left and throws right and loves going to Forest City Owl’s games. He also loves Panther football, especially his favorite, DeAngelo Williams #34. He developed food favorites. He likes going to Mi Pueblito for the nacho supreme. He loves cheese dips, baked spaghetti and Rice Krispies. He has Rice Krispies every morning and still puts his ear down to the bowl to listen to “Snap, Crackle, and Pop”! He wants to go to West Point or maybe even Annapolis. He said: “... that way, I can be Uncle Dylan’s boss!” Uncle Dylan is a Lance Corporal in the Marines. This past Christmas, Landyn’s big request was that he wanted a man cave! Yes, he got his wish!
Every month or two he has to go be medically monitored. His dad said: “He doesn’t like it, but is very cooperative.” Eight year old, Landyn Carter Johnson, is now in remission. He has struggled to become a normal little boy. He is very sensitive of what transpired when he was in a comma. Was it a miracle? Definitely, yes. When I asked his parents if they ever came close to giving up during the years of constant prayers and hope, their answer was a resounding: “Absolutely not! No, you never give up!”
Amen. What a story! A happy and blessed New Year to each of you.
