On May 11, just a couple of weeks ago, I was officially declared cancer free! My oncologist was very excited as he delivered the news to me. It was a bell ringing event, as I walked through the chemo lab to have the needle removed from my life port. The nurses, no - MY nurses, cheered with me, hugged me, and applauded as I rang that bell for the last time!! (I had rung a bell twice before - once in that same chemo lab when I finished my chemo and once in the radation department when I was done with radiation.) I don't think you can ring a bell too many times when it comes to cancer. Every milestone that says, "been there, done that" deserves to be announced by the loud, long, obnoxious, annoying, ringing of a big bell. And now - no more treatments. No more experimental pills. No more days of not being able to get up out of my chair.
My energy levels are returning. My emotional state is better than it's ever been. I still have days when I feel kinda bad and kinda down. I have told friends I am about 85% back to normal. But normal is on a different scale now. Normal is notched up to a new look on life. It sure feels good to wake up in the mornings knowing I don't have cancer. I always knew and acknowledged that each day is a gift from God. Now I embrace that knowledge with a new fervor and determination to make the most of every day. Embracing each day means I am more aware of my surroundings; of people I know and love; of people I know and try to love; of nature and food and possessions and finances. The list is endless. I have projects to finish and new ones to begin. I have foods to try and recipes to experiment with. I have trips to take and travels to plan. I feel like a new person. Some of the old me is still here. But there's a lot of a new me. Some may notice. Some may not. It matters not who does or doesn't. I'm back. And I'm back in a big way.
Thank you, Lord, for all of your promises. Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." He does, and He will. Blessed Assurance!
