Time to Celebrate!
I received the best possible news from my doctor today! The CT scan shows that the lymph nodes in question have shrunk back to normal – which means that the chemotherapy was a success and I am cancer-free!!
Thank you all so much for every prayer, every good thought, and all of your incredible support. And thank God! To say that this is a relief is of course a gigantic understatement. I am overwhelmed with emotions. It will take a couple months to feel 100% again. Mostly I will still feel tired because this treatment was a bit of a shock to my body. Knowing that this treatment was successful though, makes it all so worth it.
I always thought I would hit the ground running when I graduated college in spring of this year, but instead the power that be decided to push the pause button. This summer has been a long pause, but not necessarily an entirely negative one. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. It has been a time to catch up on that stack of movies and books. A time to take care of myself and learn to cope with the much feared un-productivity. Most of all though, it has been a time to reflect. I have come away from this knowing that we need those pauses every now and again (minus the whole cancer thing though 🙂
Now, it is time to celebrate! I started a bit early and had a beer (pictured above) the other night for the first time in a very long time (I was told chemo + alcohol probably wasn’t a good mix, so I waited). It was delicious, as expected. I look forward to enjoying the rest of the summer with a new peace of mind! It would be all too easy to push away all of these memories and just move on, and I will to some degree, but I can tell you that I will not take my health or this wonderful life for granted.
August 17, 2009
Oh god, this is the greatest news yet!! =) I am soo happy! I couldn't tell you how nervous I was last night. How nervous since the nightmare you had. Oh, how i cried last night, dreading the worst. I am soo happy! =) We must celebrate! =) I love you so much! My prayers are answered! As yours are too! Finally we can sleep well! =)
Love you soo much!
LOVE ALWAYS,
cASSANDRA
August 17, 2009
John thats awesome news!!!! Congrads. were all so happy for you!
August 18, 2009
YAY!!!!!! So when will you be available to come to maine with us and enjoy Jake's camp!? It's time to celebrate, and trust me this is the best place to do it!!
also, I am so proud of you for being so strong and positive. You are my inspiration and I am so happy you are C-word free! :0) Amen!!!!!!
August 19, 2009
John –
Words fail me … there's just no way to express the joy and relief about your clean scan. Damn, that's just plain wonderful! To be done with chemo, and then to get that news — well, as you know, it puts everything else in perspective.
John, you did it. You knew you could, you knew you would, and you did it.
This chapter of your story … of the movie that is your life … is over. But I think that it has shaped your lens forever.
DLD
August 20, 2009
No words – overwhelmingly happy (tears). Love you buddy