Hey friends and family,

First, I want to start by saying that I am so sorry that I have let so much time go by... Feb 4th was the last time I checked in with you all here. That you for your continued checking in and reaching out - it never gets old.

It is crazy to think that ONE YEAR AGO TODAY Rowan took Ben in to get an MRI because he was losing feeling in his legs and our insurance FINALLY gave the go ahead to get the scan done...  What the technician saw that day sent us into the wild ride of the last year. A massive tumor that had nearly severed his spine.

A massive tumor that Ben had no idea was had been creating the pain that had been evolving  over the last year.

A massive tumor that turned into a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.

A year ago today, a year ago RIGHT NOW I was driving to the ER, where Rowan had taken Ben after the MRI technician calmly instructed him to go, right away. I was driving to the ER, knowing that I wouldn't be able to actually go in, because we were only a few weeks into a global PANDEMIC and everyone was freaking out....

I was going to get Ben to take him to Harborview Medical Center, in Seattle, because the surgeons up here knew that Ben needed the best of the best for what he was about to endure....

It's so unreal to think back to a year ago. A year ago tomorrow is the anniversary of a 6 HOUR surgery that resulted in a completely rebuilt spine. A year ago.

Here's where we are, a year later:

All the test results came back and there is NO DETECTABLE CANCER in Ben's body! Out of the ONE MILLION (remember this?) cells that they can see, NONE of them are myeloma cells. Not one.

He continues to get stronger every day, aided by the skill and encouragement of an awesome PT team. Ben's been working hard to come off of the pain meds that have aided him and his comfort for the past 12 months - no small undertaking.

He is beginning the maintenance program - Revlemid, at a lower dose than this summer. Studies show that people who keep up the regime of Revelmid after the treatment and stem cell transplant that Ben has been through, are able to stay cancer free for longer. YAY.

He is getting his first COVID-19 shot  on Tuesday. His team has decided that his immune system is strong enough to hold the vaccine, yay. That is a HUGE weight to release in this weird reality of the cancer/covid combo.

He is looking forward to getting back to work later this spring. For now, he is keeping busy helping me reimagine and redesign our yard, while also moving through the entire Game of Thrones series, and spending lots of quality time with the kids.

While I, of course, am thrilled to be here, a year later, and ready to move into what is next, I know that the past couple of weeks have been an emotional ride for Ben. Processing the test results while also knowing that Myeloma isn't something that is ever really "cured."

I am grateful to continue to move forward, and have the lessons of what we have been through, what Ben has been through, reveal themselves.  To continue to appreciate the gift of knowing what our family is capable of.

The kids keep showing up in both incredible and typical ways. Time will show how going through such a big family crisis during their teen years (during a pandemic) has shaped them.  I celebrate every day the deep connection and love we all have for each other.

So that's what I got for you all...  You all have been so amazing. We couldn't have made it through the year without the love and support of our family and friends. Thank you so much.

Love, love, love you!

Casey and family 💜