Cancer-Free!

What glorious words!  Those are the words we heard yesterday.  Our daughter, Jody, reminded us that it was exactly ten months ago, on October 5, 2012, that we heard the words, "You have cancer", and it was on August 5, 2013 that we heard the words, "You are cancer-free"! 

"Wowser!"....as friend KK so succinctly phrased it yesterday😊

First, Jenna, the Physician's Assistant, entered the office with a larger than usual smile on her face. She did a quick review of the results of my recent blood tests and then gave us the good news about the PET scan results.  I think we were all stunned for a moment and then the tears came. Thank goodness for daughter-in-law, Tami, who was taking notes, because it's all a blur to me. Poor Jenna!  We were all talking at once and throwing one question after another at her, but she put up with us all and shared in our joy.

Dr. Polowy came in next with an equally wide smile on his face.  He could not have been more pleased to give us further information on the scan.  Since Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and nasty cancer, there is no established plan of attack that has proven successful in all cases.  At the outset of our journey Dr. Polowy fully explained his plan for my treatment and why he chose what he chose for me.  He told us that he is now treating two more patients who have this particular cancer, so we can imagine that my results encouraged him as well.  He is just the best!

I have been overwhelmed by the response of so many people who share our joy. The love and prayers prayed on our behalf just stagger me and I could not possibly thank you all enough in my lifetime.  It will take a lifetime to fully absorb all that has taken place throughout our journey through cancer and I sincerely pray that my experience can benefit others who are walking this walk.

My greatest thanks go to my God and my Savior, Jesus Christ, without Whom I could never have come through this. There has not been a millisecond when I was not aware of His presence.

I am so grateful to be able to join the psalmist, David, as he prayed:

"I will extol (praise highly) The Lord at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in The Lord;

Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify The Lord with me;

Let us exalt (honor) His name together.

I sought The Lord and He answered me;

He delivered me from all my fears......

The angel of The Lord encamps around those who fear Him,

And He delivers them.

Taste and see that The Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him....

The Lord is close to the broken hearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles,

But The Lord delivers him from them all;

He protects all his bones,

Not one of them will be broken......."-Psalm 34:1-4, 7-8,18-20 (NIV).

This will be my last blog post, at least for the time being.  The purpose of the blog has always been to share God's faithfulness in times of chaos and challenge and hopefully this has been accomplished.

On the health front:

I can expect to experience lack of energy and stamina for a while, but other than that, it's clear sailing😊