The road to recovery for Blake Leach has been a tough one. The Hopkinsville baseball coach was found unconscious in his classroom from what appeared to be a seizure and was transported by ambulance to Jennie Stuart Medical Center two days before Thanksgiving.
Coach Leach says he remembers waking up in the ambulance and being bombarded with questions such as, do you remember what happened, what day is it, and do you know where you are now, to which he didn’t have a clue. Upon arrival at Jennie Stuart Medical Center, he was taken into the emergency room, x-rays were taken, and he was asked if he wanted to go to St. Thomas or Vanderbilt, to which he responded, Vanderbilt.
While at Vanderbilt Medical Center, more x-rays were taken along with an MRI which revealed a mass on his brain about 5 by 3 centimeters in size. A few days later, surgery was performed to remove the mass, and he was prescribed a treatment regimen for the next several weeks.
Initially, Leach didn’t ask much about the diagnosis, but was later told he had a grade 3 Glioma – a tumor that starts in the brain or spine. After a sufficient recovery time from surgery, he began a 6-week cycle of treatments, which included taking radiation 5 days a week for 33 visits and chemo pills daily during the first 6-week cycle. This event impacted not only his health, but his life in many ways.
He shared about the stress endured by his wife, Abby, and says he doesn’t know what he would have done without her support and the support from his family.
“I may not have been dealt the greatest hand to play, but I am fortunate to play that hand with the support of my family, friends and co-workers,” he said.
Leach describes himself as more of a quiet, reserved person, who doesn’t like to boast about things. However, he is truly appreciative of the monetary donations, as well as the other donations and assistance from the community, which have been a huge help. At the start of this week, over $4,100 has been pledged to Leach through a GoFundMe account established in his name.
He says he feels well more days than not, and he knows this will be his lifestyle for a quite a while to come. Despite how he feels, he knows there is a reason why this has happened to him and that God has a plan for him. He wants to make sure to take full advantage of all the opportunities he has been given.
Leach said this event has allowed him the opportunity to reflect and truly realize just how lucky he is to have his family, many life experiences, baseball, etc. He has been given the opportunity to see the good in people and how important his friends and family are to him. Leach admits he feels like he has lightened up a little on some things and realizes not every day is a good a day for anyone. He realizes more now how many people have things going in their lives others know nothing about which we should all remember and consider when interacting with other.
As a coach, he is trying to instill in his players how lucky they are to play baseball, and though it may seem frustratingly hard at times, he says it is what makes the game so great.
“Players need to realize these difficult lessons will impact their future, not only as baseball players, but as young men and their entire lives,” he said. “I plan to continue coaching baseball, if the school and administration allows me, and if I feel like I am getting through to the kids. When either of these things start leaning the opposite way, it will be time for me to move on to something else.”
Leach has been in baseball for almost 34 years, either as a player or coach, and he says it will be difficult whenever the time comes to give it up.
Although he has a young team this year, he has seen their potential and encourages them to continue working hard to be their best.
“If we strive to sharpen our efforts, attitudes and focus, then I like our chances,” he said.
If anyone knows about chances, especially second chances, it’s Leach.
