When an ATV accident brought Logan High School football player Skyler Miller to the hospital, a simple MRI on his knee quickly evolved into a dangerous discovery of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
The Logan, W.V., native, just a 14-year-old freshman at the time, believes God was preparing him for the diagnosis and long road ahead. He had been going to church more and drawing closer to God. When the diagnosis came, He wasn’t as distraught as most people might initially be with the news.
There was the initial shock, but soon calm came and he had peace “to the greatest extent,” certain the Holy Spirit was ministering to him and journeying with him.
“I was as calm as could be,” he said. “It was almost crazy how calm I was, because He gave me such a deep peace about it.”
Miller sensed everything would be okay as he underwent chemotherapy and was cleared in time for basketball season the following year. But, after the season began, he was diagnosed with AML a second time.
“God is still shaping me every day." -Skyler Miller
Again, Miller felt a deep comfort. He wondered why the cancer had come back, but he wasn’t sad or scared. Instead, he built upon his experience, already prepped for what he’d face.
In a sense, the first diagnosis and fight was like a warm up. In the second round, he knew exactly what to do through chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant: lean on God.
While he underwent treatment, he held to the promise that God was carrying him through and would bring him back on the field.
“It was hard to lean on [God], like it says [in Proverbs 3:5], ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,’” Miller admitted. “The more I did and the more I didn’t get frustrated with my progress, I just saw results.”
As football season crept closer, participation on the field began to become a real possibility.
“I wanted to play football so bad, because that’s what I was passionate about,” Miller said. “I love football, and that’s all I wanted to be able to do.”
He received his final bone marrow transplant in May and was then cleared to begin working out and practicing with the team.
Gary Mullens, the Wildcats’ head coach, watched as Miller made his way back.
“He was the hardest working guy in the room, staying extra, lifting extra,” he said. “From day one, he’s out there as good as any kid. I think his biggest goal is just to show everybody that you can bounce back from that.”
Miller was named a team captain for his work ethic, heart and encouragement to his teammates.
Miller speaking to the Logan HS FCA Huddle
The morning of the season opener, Miller shared his testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness through his incredible journey at Logan’s FCA Huddle, which he’d joined as a freshman.
That night, he suited up for the first time in two years.
It was the “greatest feeling in the world”, bringing nerves, but also excitement. A few weeks later, Miller’s excitement reached peak level, when he caught his first touchdown pass. Sweet fulfillment from the bitter branches of struggle.
“He brings strength to all of us,” said Mullens. “He’s gone through more than what five people will in a lifetime. It’s just amazing, the things he’s been able to accomplish and the courage he can give somebody.”
Miller’s stepped up his faith over recent years, sharing God with others and even leading team prayer, which would have been no small feat for him mere years prior.
“God is still shaping me every day,” affirmed Miller. “I’m slowly transforming into something better than I was.
“No matter what you’re going through, you can give all your problems to God. Give them to Him and let Him work.”
Photos courtesy of Skyler Miller