Good evening fellow planetary travelers. 

You may ask yourself, is John now writing Science Fiction? 

I wish I were, but alas, no - I’m referring to the fact that two years ago today - 730 days ago - I rang the bell at the Schar Cancer Center, signifying the end of my radiation and chemotherapy treatments and the beginning of recovery. Since that time, as we hurtled through space on this ship we call Earth, strangely unaware of the velocity and centripetal/centrifugal forces this mass of rock experiences, we’ve all been so very busy.

I was preparing to talk here about some of the big ticket items that have happened over the past two years to mark how much time has passed, but as I typed I realized that, with only a few exceptions, most of the big stuff that was coming to mind was really depressing. That’s just not what this blog is about.

So cut back to two years ago. I was pretty damn weak, I still had the feeding tube in my stomach, the skin on my neck was scorched and I didn’t have much of a voice. For the next month I pretty much just laid in bed most days watching lots of TV and struggling with how not to choke on my own drainage when I slept. But by Christmas, I was back to thinking about work again, and in the days right before the end of 2020, I started up at my job again, albeit not at full mental capacity. 

That spring, I wrote a cloud program in Python to ensure our Tableau application servers are never down for customers. Did a lot of PowerShell, SQL and a lot of other scripting and data wrangling.  I added a set of new technical skills to my existing portfolio, and made friends with some new coworkers. With my brother, I started learning the Italian language through an online class offered as adult education. Still have never been to Italy, but maybe soon…. My instructor says I’m ready.

Last January, we added a 12 year old half-chihuahua half-Jack Russell terrier named Lucy to our family when my elderly neighbor Annie passed away. During my treatments, whenever I would amble in my frail state around the block and would encounter my neighbor walking her, Lucy always seemed thrilled to see me and honestly it just lifted my heart every time. Adopting her when her “mother” passed away was the right move, and to this day, she brings us lots of joy and fun, and more than a little dog hair on our furniture and clothing.

So if you all remember from my previous posts, the two year point in remission of this cancer is an important milestone. They say that the likelihood of the cancer reappearing after two years plummets, and after five years, you are cleared. That’s not to say you can’t get another cancer, but they would consider that a completely new incidence, not a return of the first one.

So I’m pretty fortunate and I know it. I’m fortunate not just to have made it past this gate, but also to have had you wonderful friends to share the success with. 

I think, on that note, I want to close this blog. Good night and thank you all.