I wish I'd taken Latin instead of Spanish and Italian. Perhaps I would have scored a few points higher on the SAT or swept a category on Jeopardy during our "house poor" years eating baked potatoes in front of our television on second hand wicker porch furniture. That's what I was pondering today while walking around Ga Tech for Preview Day with Jamie. Our tour guide, Olivia, mentioned that she is taking Arabic as an elective (!) which prompted my stream of consciousness about languages and my choices. I'm certain I would have done better in Latin because I love the origin of words and would have relied more heavily on logic and writing rather than speaking to demonstrate proficiency. I must have muttered something out loud; Jamie added that computer languages should count towards foreign language credit.

Today's word is Anniversarius, from Latin and meaning "returning annually," from annus (year) + versus (past participle of vertebrae "to turn." 

It was one year ago today that I received the call from Dr. Barber's office with the news that my biopsy results were unequivocal: invasive lobular carcinoma. Ross and I were talking about how fresh the memory of my call to him minutes later is in our minds. Where we were sitting. How little we knew about what to expect, and therefore, how terrified. Whether we ought to talk to the boys at dinner or wait until we understood more about treatment plans. Committing intentionally to avoid going down the rabbit hole of googling anything and sticking with published research and facts. (Meanwhile, exchanging multiple texts with Tatiana who assured me that she had my back...and my front ;-) And that's pretty much how the past year has played out. Seeking information, making tough decisions, letting in love and support, shutting out negativity, laughing at and making boob jokes, enduring and recovering.

Now that I have finished the bulk of treatment, I struggle to choose the appropriate language and tense. What is the most accurate to say in my situation? Am I "in remission" and "survived cancer" or am I still an active cancer patient who is past the intensive treatment stage (since I'll be receiving less invasive treatment for another decade in the clinical trial)? Feel free to discuss...

The 2nd word of the day is Remissionem which is "a sending back, sending away," noun of action from past participle stem of remitter "slacken, let go, abate," which has been used in reference to diseases since early 15c. Whether or not it is accurate to say I'm in remission, I like the idea of letting go. 

With that, wonderful friends and family, I am signing off. I cannot express how much it has meant to have you along for the journey. I have a large box of cards, memories of phone calls that snapped me out of social isolation, and all of your prayers, "hearts" and #teamkira comments on this journal to cherish. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This has been, truly, a caring bridge of connection.

My email address is kirasloop@gmail.com. 
With love, Kira