I posted on social media the big news of the week…but it’s worth repeating and over-sharing!  (Also, I want to keep consistent in my story-keeping for Saylor, so I still need to document these last steps!)

Saylor’s scans came back clear on Friday!  No cancer was detected, and he is done with chemo.  After a few hours of waiting and talking to his Oncology team, Saylor rang the bell!  Bye, bye for now, beautiful clinic!  Thank you, God!

I used to think when he was done with treatment, we would plan a big celebration to mark the end of such a journey.  However, when we got home that afternoon, we had nothing planned. Nothing. Not even dinner. I think we were all too anxious to think past this moment.

Instead, the four of us scattered in our house, almost in disbelief or maybe awe.  I kept playing the last six months over and over in my head.  Later that night, Saylor joined me outside by the fire pit.  We both agreed that it felt so strange how fast six months flew by, but in the same breath, it seemed like years ago when he was diagnosed. 

Talking with Saylor that night felt like hanging out with one of my adult friends.  We laughed. We cried. Since this journey started, he has matured so much, and I genuinely enjoy being around him. I tried to tell him how proud I was of him for the amazing way he tackled each hurdle… my words were fumbled.. and I ended up a bumbling, sobbing mess.  Saylor hugged me huge. It was such a release. He was appreciative and grateful. A relief. A moment of gratitude I will never, ever forget. 

Today, I sit and reflect in the waiting room at UNC Children’s, waiting for Saylor to get out of surgery to remove his port. If you have been following Saylor’s journey, you know I have been amazed by all of the special connections and coincidences along the way. Small-world things… like selling the catamaran to a man who had cancer when he was Saylor’s age, to meeting a friend-of-a-friend in the oncology clinic on a day that we usually wouldn’t overlap, to being introduced by a neighbor to a previous UNCW swimmer who also had cancer and getting to know some of his journey (see the photo of his incredible artwork of Saylor and Ava)… even today on our drive, we listened to a podcast that randomly discussed an NFL player who came back stronger than ever after having Hodgkins Lymphoma.  

On so many occasions, the timing of these coincidences gives me chills, and the connections have brought me peace. The world feels upside down, but I also trust there is a plan for us. Of course today, I felt like my daily devotional was speaking directly to me… please read the excerpt (photo attached) December 12th. Chills.

For now, it is time to EXHALE.  Saylor is out of surgery...we are home... and all is well!