Just a little cancer update: had a CT scan recently and blood work today. I finished my last set of tri-weekly infusions a year ago, and my labs and blood work are finally getting closer to normal! The 4 spots on my lungs and 1 spot on my sternum are stable. My spleen is still enlarged and platelets low, but doc said we might have to accept it's always going to be that way as they can't find a cause for it. They found anterolisthesis in my lower back, which has caused a numb "stripe" area about 2" wide down my left leg and explains my increasing back pain, but no idea what might be the cause, so another thing to wait and see if it worsens. Kidneys are the problem now. Kidney failure and stage 3 chronic kidney disease caused by chemo damage, but so far the oral treatments are working pretty well, with the exception of my potassium and magnesium levels. Both really low today. My kidneys don't process it correctly and dump it out before my body gets to use it. I have increased heart palpitations (atrial fibrillations) and some low energy at times, but I feel it's manageable. We'll see what the nephrologist says next month. I'm still on a long-term chemo pill that I will take for many years. The side effects are honestly horrific, but it's the price I pay to try to prevent cancer from rearing it's ugly head again. I also take shots every six months to prevent recurrence and try to protect my bone density, so I get to feel like I have the flu for a couple of days. But all of this is beautiful. Messy and painful at times, but beautiful! I'm here to see my kids and grandkids continue to grow. I get to continue to grow and learn and become. THAT'S what makes it worth it! And gratefully, my public life has finally begun to return to some version of normal! I'm able to get out and start to enjoy activities again without as much worry that any illness will kill me! Thanks to paxlovid, I actually survived Covid, which I caught after only being exposed for a few minutes at a distance to a sick kid. Now to focus on getting the steroid weight off and running and exercising again. That's been so hard! But I've had such a great summer and I love fall so much! Each day is precious to me. I'm so blessed every single day by a loving God who granted me more time on this earth, wonderful family and friends who continue to uplift and support me in this crazy journey, and faith that whatever trials lie in the path before me, I will be triumphant. And so you will you!