It’s been awhile, so here is what’s been going on. 

I have been going to physical therapy weekly since I hit the six weeks post surgery mark. It’s tough. It hurts.  It sometimes takes days to recover. I have to complete exercises three times a week. There are sometimes it only happens twice a week and that’s with the physical therapist. I have to constantly be reminded the severity of my surgery. For every good day I have, I have two that make me feel like I am going backwards. Even with bad days though, I can still say the pain is much better and the road to complete recovery is right around the corner. 

I returned to work on July 4th. The first couple of weeks I questioned myself and the response I gave my doctor at my third post op visit.  He wasn’t so sure I was ready, I was determined I was. We met in the middle, I returned with lots of restrictions. 

So far so good. I listen to my body. When it says stop, I stop. Something I didn’t do prior to being diagnosed. That has made the biggest difference for me. If I were to give anyone advice it would be to listen to your body and stop to take care of yourself. Nothing else is as important as you.  Some of you may think that’s not true. But think about it, if you are not well, you can’t take care of your kids, or loved ones.   This one I learned the hard way. 

Today, Aug 2nd, I had a PET scan. It was a check up. Although I don’t see my oncologist until the end of month, I will have the results in my chart in a couple of days. I am hoping, if this one shows no evidence of disease, that maybe we can remove my port this fall. I have no reason to believe the cancer is back, but then again, I never thought it was cancer before.  

As long as this scan is clean, not that I post a lot, I will stop posting. Being back at work, and with the kids starting a new school year tomorrow, I feel it’s time. I am no longer a cancer patient, I am a survivor. 

I wouldn’t, nor would my family be where we are today, without the support and prayers of each and every one of you. We appreciate everything that has been done for us more than anyone could ever know. 

THANK YOU! 

To my wonderful boss, Maneesh, who set this site up the night I was admitted to the hospital, so many thanks.  This site gave me a platform to share my story all while updating our loved ones near and far.  You helped give me strength I didn’t know I had. Your unwavering support and ability to get right to it and get it done was nothing short of a miracle. You allowed me to forget about work and worry only about myself. I can’t say that that would be experienced everywhere.  Again, I say thank you for having my back from day one.  

I as sign off for what I pray is the last time, know that the Crider family loves you all. I even more than them. You took care of my family when I couldn’t. As a wife and a mother, this one was hard. Our community, our coworkers, and our families stepped in to do what I was not able to do and I am so very grateful. 

Enough of all the sappiness. Now Go Braves and Go Blue Devils! Marietta Strong! 

Love always, 
Erin Crider