The last time I posted, I had an update on my cancer treatment. I explained that after my 8 rounds of chemotherapy, I would have another PET scan that would hopefully show up clear and then I would be done! Well, that PET Scan was almost clear- But I still had some of that mass remaining! When I started chemotherapy, my largest mass was in my underarm (13×11 cm!). When I finished chemo, that mass was still there, but so much smaller (1.5 x 1.5 cm). My oncologist, Dr. Kingsley, was hopeful that the remaining tumor was benign, but we needed to remove it to know for sure.

Dr. Kingsley referred me to an amazing surgeon for my biopsy- Her name was Dr. Terhar. I was so excited that it was an all-female team in the operating room with me to remove that final tumor.

A week after my surgery, I visited Dr. Terhar for a follow-up. She had the pathology report ready and asked if I wanted her to read it to me. How could I say no? Of course I wanted to know what the pathology results said!

She read that they had found lymphoma cells in the remaining mass, but they were no longer active.

“What does that mean?” I asked her.

“It means they found cancer cells, but they were dead.”

I started crying. I couldn’t control it. The cancer cells were dead??? Basically, that tumor was so large that my body wasn’t able to get rid of the whole thing.

Did this mean I was in remission?? She told me to talk with my oncologist about it more, but essentially it did mean I was in remission.

I waited to tell people until after I could meet with Dr. Kingsley. I wanted to make sure I understood everything before I shared the news. Well, I met with Dr. Kingsley and he confirmed- I am in remission! “Complete Remission”, as he put it!  I cannot express to you how good it felt to hear that news. Like after a year of holding my breath, I could finally breathe again. It felt like I had been carrying weights on my shoulders, and someone finally pushed them off of me. I felt like I was given a second chance at life, and like God had granted me more time on earth with Caleb and Kingsley. 

The word grateful doesn’t cut it. The word excited isn’t even close. But I don’t know what other words to use. I’m in awe that this blessing was granted to me. I feel forever indebted to my Father in Heaven for the miracles he showed me. I hope to devote myself to God so He can know I am so grateful for this gift.