I recently read "Hope And Other Superpowers" by John Pavlovitz, a truly inspiring and empowering book.  As I have gone through my Cancer journey from diagnosis, to treatment, and now in the first week of my recovery, I can confirm that Hope is truly the Superpower that sustained me through the tough times and empowered me to move forward and meet The Emperor of All Maladies, as Ken Burns has referred to Cancer, head-on.

Hope fortifies me to defeat the enemy, Hope gives me the sense of peace to deal with uncertainty, Hope supports me through the love, encouragement, faith, and generosity of my dear, valued friends, (that would be all of you!) Throughout the complexities of life sometimes I have felt very alone.  It is through the darkness, however, that I have been lifted up by my legion of friends, more than I can count.  Thank you!

I am going into my second week of recovery and I am feeling great.  Though I didn't really experience much anxiety leading up to my treatment, there is always a bit of uncertainty.  Those uncertainties quickly disappeared after my first treatment.  I actually found CyberKnife quite fascinating, sort of Star Wars, LOL! The technicians, nurses, doctors, and administrative staff at the Schar Cancer Institute were wonderful, I could not have asked for a better team.  My first follow-up appointment is in November and I will have PSA tests every three months for the next year.  Dr. Chapman, my Oncologist told me not to be too concerned about any single PSA level because a baseline needs to be established but I responded extremely well to the treatment so I am taking that to the bank, so to speak.

I know that this fight is not over yet but I am confident.  From the Tower of Hope to ringing the Bell of Hope I embrace my Superpower!