Monday, October 13, 2008

Remission

Today, seven months almost to the day of being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, I'm in remission! It just doesn't seem real. This whole ride has been quite amazing. Doc said my PET/CT scans show everything is back to normal. Including the egg size mass in my chest. Gone. Can you believe that?! I thought when I heard the "all clear" that I'd just emotionally collapse but I haven't. I've had to stay so strong through tests, treatments, and pain that I'm not sure how to deal with such wonderful news. How do you let go after everything that's happened? I mean, yes, I did tear up in the office, hugging Ric, feeling like we've just won a marathon but I really expected more out of myself. I can't help wonder if holding all of the emotions in during the most trying time of my life has now prevented me from releasing emotional energy. I had a hard time sleeping last night. Got up about 3am and blindly surfed the internet. I wasn't really looking for anything specific. As I was getting ready this morning, I didn't pay much attention to the colors I picked. It dawned on me later that I picked a purple shirt. Just so happens purple is the color for Hodgkins. Coincidence? Maybe. What might be a coincidence to some is a spiritual message to others. I had my normal chat with "The Man" asking for the strength to deal with whatever the test results revealed. One might have asked to hear "no more cancer" instead. There's a reason I've been lead down this path. If I was to ask to be cured before I set out on this journey, what lesson do you learn? Of course I wanted to be cured and definitely not deal with this whole situation but something told me I would have to work for this. I've learned a lot during this journey. Not only about myself but about others as well. I know this is just the beginning. Cancer was brought into my life to give me a jump start to something. Nothing like a kick in the ass to get your going huh! God works in mysterious ways. Needless to say, my life will never be the same. I just hope I don't let him down. My next checkup is Feb 09. Since both my scans came back "all clear" in June and last week, I won't have any further tests until next June/July. Monday I'll visit my surgeon to discuss removing the port. I'll be very happy to have that removed. I want to thank everyone, again, for your overwhelming support, care, and concern. I hope my blog has helped you deal with something in your life as much as it's helped me deal with Cancer. It's been an amazing experience and I couldn't have made it without each and every one of you.

5 comments:

Jo Anne said...

Annie, What is there to say except Thank God! Amazing journey for an amazing woman. Every journey begins with a step..... Jo Anne

Corneice said...

Woo Hoo! God is an awesome God! There are many mysteries in life, but I do believe that what doesn't beat us makes us stronger. And as long as we keep God on our side, we can never lose. He will bring us through. You are an amazing woman and a great inspiration. Thanks for allowing all of us who read your blog to take the journey with you. And don't let it stop here. Keep on sharing! The journey has only begun!

Pam said...

Oh Annie, the day finally arrived that you got the news that we not only have been praying for but felt in our hearts that you would get! I just want to say, Paise the Lord! I agree taht he has great plans for you and don't worry for one minute that you will let him down. I am positive taht you will do whatever he leads you to do and do it as he wants. This is just wonderful news and I am thankful to have been able to go through this with you through your blog. I do believe taht you are now stronger than ever. I learned after having gone through all we did with Jon that a crisis can give you added strength and you can get through things you never would ahve believed. You don't do it alone though, you have to put it in God's hands and let him take it from there while you just believe. You did that and now you can relax and enjoy being healthy.

Anonymous said...

Yay! It has been a hard trail, but you have done it. Congratulations on hanging in there. Your strength has got you through it!

Anonymous said...

Hooray! To quote Elmo on Sesame Street, "Yaaaaaaaaaaay!" You had the strength and conviction to stick with it and complete this hard trail. Congratulations.