Finding Meaning Through the Journey

Markus Denkhaus  | Lead Solution Architect

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Around April, Markus began feeling unwell. At first, it seemed like something temporary, but after two weeks the symptoms intensified. A routine blood test revealed something was seriously wrong.

That evening, Markus’s wife — a doctor — reviewed the results. Her reaction said everything before any words were spoken.

The next day, Markus was sent to the hospital for further testing. By that afternoon, sitting in a hospital room with his wife, he received the diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

“My world fell apart,” Markus recalls. “I collapsed into my wife’s arms, convinced I wouldn’t see my daughters grow up.”

What followed was the beginning of a long and uncertain journey.

Facing the Fight

After the initial shock, Markus and his family began to understand the road ahead.

AML is a serious form of blood cancer, but doctors explained that Markus had one of the more treatable variants. The treatment plan would involve four rounds of chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy, with the hope that a stem cell transplant would not be necessary.

Still, the months that followed were challenging. Treatment meant repeated hospital stays, infections, and the emotional weight that comes with confronting mortality.

Throughout the experience, Markus and his wife adopted a perspective that helped them move forward.

“My wife encouraged me to focus on finding meaning in the experience,” he says. “Not that everything has a reason, but that we can choose to find meaning in how we respond.”

That mindset helped them navigate the uncertainty one day at a time.

The People Who Make a Difference

In the middle of the hospital routines and treatments, Markus found unexpected moments of connection.

The doctors and nurses who cared for him became a constant source of strength. Their professionalism, compassion, and even humor made long days easier to face. “They became like another family,” Markus says.

They also insisted on helping him improve his Danish even though they spoke perfect English. “It’s one of the biggest gifts they gave me,” he adds, “apart from my life itself.”

Family and friends were another pillar of support. Hospital visits often turned into special memories, including chess games played in hospital rooms during recovery.

The Importance of Support at Work

During this time, Markus also experienced something he hadn’t fully anticipated: the depth of support from his workplace.

Coupa gave him the flexibility to focus on treatment while keeping the door open for him to contribute whenever he had the energy to do so.

“I felt nothing but support,” Markus says. “My managers gave me the space I needed for treatment while still including me when I wanted to stay connected.”

He credits his managers Simon Devane and Nick Chaplin for creating that environment of understanding and trust.

Experiences like these highlight the importance of workplace benefits, flexibility, and leadership that prioritizes people, especially during life’s most challenging moments.

Looking Ahead

Today, Markus is still on his recovery journey.

His cancer is in remission but he still needs regular testing to ensure that there is no relapse. With each passing test he is one step closer to being cured.

The experience has changed how Markus sees many things, including his work. “One of the things I realized during this process is how much I genuinely enjoy what I do,” he says. “It feels good to be back with customers, solving problems, sharing knowledge, and being out in the world again.”

Building a Workplace That Supports People

Markus’s journey is a reminder that careers are not just about milestones and achievements. They’re about the people and communities who support us through every chapter.

At Coupa, that support comes through meaningful benefits, flexibility, and a culture that puts people first. When employees are empowered to take care of themselves and their families, they can return stronger, more resilient, and ready to make an impact.

Explore Opportunities at Coupa

If you’re looking to grow your career at a company that supports its people through every stage of life, explore opportunities at Coupa Careers and learn how you can help shape what’s next.