It’s been a little while! Since my good news in December, I’ve hesitated posting on The Bridge. Mainly because I didn’t want to jinx myself! Since we have truly come full circle, I thought I would close the chapter. Long post alert, so if you are like AB and just want a summary, you can stop at this paragraph. Last week my super star oncologist and I broke up. Well, we are actually on a break. IYKYK. Our plan is to see each other every 6 months (I’ll see his PA every 3). My most recent scan showed no new signs of disease and my CA 125 is cool and steady at 12 (was originally 1500 at diagnosis)! Monday, July 18th is my last outpatient surgery to finally remove the port that delivered the chemo!

If y’all were able to plow through my previous posts, you may remember the job I took as a Patient Patient. It served me well and truly helped me appreciate the amazing healthcare professionals who put their lives on the line through covid to care for me and others.

I was so inspired by my immersive experience in a healthcare setting that I decided volunteering at the hospital would be a great next step. Nurses were overworked and understaffed, I could be helpful getting patients pillows, blankets and snacks. I mean, I had my energy back (thank you sweet Jesus), my stamina was improving everyday, and Ozark gave me nothing to look forward to. 

AB’s initial reaction was horror. He has worked like a crazy man to keep me away from risk as my inability to pay attention to my surroundings made me a bad social distancer. I won’t say he grabbed me by the back of the shirt on an elevator to pull me away from people, but I was scolded many times. 

So the idea of me volunteering at a place, with people, potentially sick people (being a hospital and all) where he would be unable to step in like the get back guy at a football game was unappealing to him as my first foray back into the community. 

Nevertheless, she persisted. After wearing him down many thoughtful discussions he finally relented said he would support whatever I felt comfortable doing. His requests were that I remember just because I don’t consider myself immuno-compromised, that is not a decision I get to make. I’m still in “active cancer treatment” due to the PARP inhibitor I take daily and that means I continue to be immuno-compromised. Not a label I like, but it’s better than cancer patient so I’ll take it. The other request was that it be stress free.

So…between my 1st hand patient experience and being in my 2nd year of residency due to my Grey’s Anatomy training, I decided to put my skills to actual work over volunteering (give the people what they want, am I right?) By some miraculous intervention (not having measles immunity and being unable to receive the vax since my colleagues still think I’m “immuno-compromised'' and by colleagues I mean my Dr.) I got an actual JOB at PRISMA - the same hospital that saved my life.

Now, the only condition I had to seek employment was that I was going to need to wear scrubs.  We all know why. Since the PRISMA people don’t count my clinical experience as experience, there were not a lot of options for an immuno-compromised person to find employment within their system and also wear scrubs.  Lo and behold a little unknown (to me) department existed. Employee Health, they don’t see sick people. (AB’s other request)

They do pre-employment physicals for all new hires and give vaccines to current employees. They needed a part time secretary who just so happens, WEARS SCRUBS! Match made in heaven! I am now a gainfully employed, scrub wearin secretary, and after week one, I can say it’s been awesome. 

So as I close my chapter, I will again sound like I just won an award as I try to thank everyone for getting me to this point. As crazy as it sounds, I feel like I have actually won an award!! Without AB I simply would not be here. Facts. He gave me peace and comfort, pushed me when necessary, protected me, lifted me up, wrapped his arms around me and continued to believe I could get through this awful disease. He never stopped loving me especially during the times I was unlovable.  He kept this family going. I mean ya’ll, not a single kiddo missed a single step.  

My kiddos (I can’t call them children anymore and I can’t call them kids as they are not goats). Watch out, brag time. We have the most amazing people. Rhett, Abby, Andy, & Caroline could teach a class on getting a family through stage iv cancer. They supported me, AB, and one another in the most sincere, honest, and generous ways that you just wouldn't think possible from a young adult and three 15 now 16 year olds. Their toughness and resilience through what was a markedly dark, scary, and sad time, was proven over and over.  They got through special events minus me (somehow AB didn’t miss a thing) as well as their daily school, practices and other activities, volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, football, dance, and the list goes on. They accommodated not having their friends over without complaint in order to keep me healthy. I’m so proud of them I could burst.

Friends. Our wonderful circle kept us afloat. These friends immersed themselves with us in this journey and we were never alone. From sitting on a rock with AB while I was in the ER and he could not be with me, to giving us a covid free place to land for a week after surgery. Evening drop ins to lift our spirits and the ease of crossing the street to enjoy some free time and a good meal! I love you people! 

The friend who dropped it all to drive Caroline to dance every single day until she got her driver's license, over 4 months! The friend who showed up with aspercreme because she knew I would need it for my port before chemo.(talk about full circle) These ladies put together a meal organization that fed us for NINE months!! They launched a fundraiser that we resisted but appreciated because it helped in so many ways. These friends were like first responders. They showed up, took charge, and kept us going.I simply can’t name the many ways they supported us. Could not live without them and their families. 

The kiddos friend’s and their parents. They drove, they set me up with everything I needed for chemo comfort and then some. They loved my children like they were their own. I love their children just as much. Our friends who offered their beach home mid chemo when we just needed a break. Our doctor and pharmacist friends who took every call, answered every question and guided us along the way. Our work friends, (worlds collide if you were a Seinfeld fan). The support AB received from Bosch is unmatched. My Sock Basket family never left my side. Again, there are not enough words to express how grateful we are. All of our friends who prayed for us, visited us, sent cards, notes, flowers, ice cream, delicious meals, coveted cookies, and delicious sweets. The calls, texts, and emails, Facebook comments, just everything! You were there for us and we are eternally grateful!

The only thing I ask of ya’ll is to please send me your addresses. I have a goal of sending a Christmas card this year! Not an online one, an actual card in the mail! If you have followed along this journey, please, please shoot me your address even if you think I know it.I need it again!

 As things are getting back to normal around here, only by the grace of God, faith, family, and friends we are once again, a full house. As evidenced by 10 teenagers doing a puzzle!!!

xoxo

jby