It is hard to believe this entire journey started over six months ago. So much has happened in that time and we are so close to the end of this journey, but before I get to that just a reflection on what these past few months have consisted of:

2 X-rays.
1 CT scan.
2 surgeries.
2 PET scans.
6 bags of Rituxin (immunotherapy).
48 bags of Vinchristine / Doxarubicon / Etoposide (chemo drugs).
6 bags of Cytoxin (chemo drugs).
6 Neulasta shots.
24 nights / 30 days in the hospital.
7200mg of Prednisone (steroids).
44 blood draws.
1 blood clot.
188 shots of Lovenox (blood thinner).
Countless visits from Framily.
0 blood transfusions.
0 trips to the ER.
0 times throwing up.

Now for the question that everyone has been asking: “What’s next?”

I’ve spent the past three weeks recovering and allowing my mind and body adjust to life without chemotherapy. Thursday was the first day that I should have been in treatment, but instead I was at home with my family. My oncologist said it could be as long as 6 months before I get back to where I was mentally and physically prior to treatment. The good news: my hair is starting to come in even if it is clear and I’m starting to resemble a peach.

Tomorrow (10/22/18) I go for my first post-chemo PET scan and we will get the results when we meet with the oncologist on Thursday.

This scan will largely inform our next steps. If the mass and cancer is gone, we will look at getting the port removed and assume life as it used to be. If there is some residual mass or cancerous activity, we will look at the possibility of radiation. The primary concern from my oncologist, in regards to radiation, is the proximity of the mass to my major organs. Surgery still is not an option due to the same reasons.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about this day, but we as a family are believing that we already have the report we are looking for… that the cancer is gone and healing is here.

While we have learned so much collectively during this season, we couldn’t be more excited to “turn the page” on this chapter of life. I asked Carlie the other day if we could set the Christmas tree up now so we could be closer to the end of the year. Not that we want to forget any of what we have walked through, but we are ready for the next season.

We would love it if you would join us in praying over these next few days for both my health and for our spirits in the waiting.

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-19

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1:3-6