Healing through writing

B. Davis Campbell never expected to battle cancer or author books. But at 56, the Pinson resident has done both. 

“Cancer really compelled me to be a writer,” he said. 

Campbell, a nurse practitioner, was diagnosed with Stage 3 bladder cancer in 2004 and underwent an operation to have his bladder removed. Two years later, cancer resurfaced in his lymph nodes, prompting his doctor to prescribe a bleak outlook. 

“My chances of living five years, according to my oncologist, were only 15 to 20 percent,” Campbell said. 

As a result, he endured three and a half months of chemotherapy treatment. It worked. 

Campbell was declared cancer-free in 2011, the year he published his first book, “A Place I Didn’t Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer,” which centers on the mental and physical struggles Campbell experienced during cancer treatment. He chose the title based on the Bible verse John 21:18.

“Jesus tells Peter that he’s going to be carried to a place he doesn’t want to go, and he talked about Peter dying, actually,” Campbell said. “That’s what happened with me, is that cancer carried me places I never dreamed I would go — major surgery, chemotherapy, multiple hospitalizations, multiple blood transfusions, side effects from chemotherapy.” 

Campbell first ventured into writing in 2006 when he penned an article for Nursing Magazine explaining the signs, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments for bladder cancer. The article was purely clinical in nature, and Campbell said he developed the urge to dive deeper into his emotional experience with cancer. 

Thus, he decided to write a book. 

“I wanted to help other people, but in hindsight, I discovered I was really helping myself,” Campbell said. “Writing has been a big part of healing for me.” 

He kept it up.

Campbell published his second book, “Glorified Sickness: Honoring God Through Illness,” in 2014, discussing unexpected blessings from illness, like instilling humility, uniting families and opening new ministries. 

“What I have discovered is that sickness, in some ways, can be a blessing and not a curse,” he said.

Campbell published his most recent book in April. Titled “Bullet Points: Absolute Essentials For Facing A Fallen World,” it offers commentary on the Bible passage Romans 12:9-21. Unlike his previous works, which focus primarily on his battle with cancer, “Bullet Points” provides advice on how to approach life in general. 

“It is a book about personal experiences and life lessons to help believers live the Christian life in today’s challenging world,” said Campbell, who attends Northpark Baptist Church in Trussville. “It seemed to be something that just grabbed me as important to write about.” 

Campbell also maintains a monthly blog in which he explores topics similar to those discussed in his books, which are all available for purchase on Amazon. He said he plans to author another one in the future. 

“Because of what I’ve been through, I feel like I’ve been called to be a guide to help other people through cancer,” he said. 

In addition to writing, Campbell is available for speaking engagements. To contact him, email daviscampbell@bellsouth.net or connect with him through his blog at cancerovercomer.blogspot.com.