Through a social media post, the senior pastor of Gainesville’s First Baptist Church has revealed that he has a type of blood cancer.
Here’s what Jeremy Shoulta posted Wednesday:
“I am simply overwhelmed by your words of kindness and encouragement; I can speak for Valarie and my girls in saying that your prayers and offers of support have meant the world to us. I hope I can say more about the impact of your words in the coming days.
SO…here’s where things get interesting: Doctors are now leaning away from a leukemia diagnosis and moving towards lymphoma. What began as a reasonably confident belief that my cancer was acute leukemia has shifted after some microscopic exams. I am supposed to be transferred to the lymphoma unit tomorrow.
I hesitate to say more as things have changed so much in three days, so I will hold off on any medical updates until I receive confident info from my Drs.
To say the past 3 days have been a “roller coaster” would be an understatement. I am about to see my girls and want to cherish that brief visit with them as (likely) treatments will prevent me from being with them on a regular basis.
(I honestly did not imagine that missing the chaos and stress of the week leading up to the first day of school would be so emotionally difficult. But holy cow – it’s been hard)
Thankful for the gifts of faith, hope and love today.”