This past Monday I had my first CT scan since I've finished chemo treatment.  Leading up to the scan, Mary kept asking me if I was nervous.  And I kept saying, "oh no, of course not."  And I think I said that because I didn't want to be nervous, but turns out I actually was deep down.  As I was walking into the building that morning, the feelings of when I first heard about my cancer diagnosis kept coming back to me, the sense of dread.  I was nervous, to be sure.

But I went in for the scan on Monday, and met with my oncologist Dr. Pierce later that day and the results were in - all clear!  I was surprised at how relieved I was. According to my Dr, at this point for me there is approximately a 75% likelihood that the cancer will not recur. I'll take those odds.  Next year it will jump up to 85%. 

So this is good news.  

I am still not back to 100% yet.  My energy level is not back to normal, and I still have neuropathy - numbness and tingling - in my fingers and soles of my feet. I can't really feel anything in my fingertips, and the soles of my feet constantly feel like they are falling asleep. It's annoying, but not the worse thing in the world. Given some of the other alternatives, I'll gladly take this!

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of the day I heard the diagnosis.  What a wild year it's been.  

Sometimes it's frustrating that I'm not back to normal yet, but from what I hear it just takes some time.  Patience is what I'm working on these days.  I'm so glad to be through treatment and on the mend, to be sure.  I'm so glad I am where I am.  I'm feeling pretty good, over all. Health really is an incredible blessing.

We are back so photographing weddings, I'll begin Air Force Reserve work again in the next few months, and I even have another new job which I'll announce soon. And I've decided to undertake cycling as a way to start exercising again. I'm excited to get into that for sure.

Thanks to all of you who have been asking what's up, and for your prayers.  It really means so much.

 

-g