AlisonH
The anti-tumor-necrosis-factor drug that saved my life in ’03 blocks one of the body’s ways of fighting off cancer cells.
I’ve had nearly nine years since then. I’ve spent the last three days considering how good a tradeoff that risk was and how glad I am that that drug gave me that time. While expecting more: remembering the time we passed a flock of newly-sheared sheep along Highway 5 on our way to southern Cal, when our youngest whined unexpectedly into the quiet of the car, “We’re not STOPPING, M o o o o o mmmmm!”
Hang onto that thought.
Tuesday, in OB-GYN, I guess the doctor felt I was being a little too blithe about the whole thing and had to make sure I understood that this…was what was normal and this…was what the ultrasound had showed. She did a biopsy, and wanting to be sure she had enough cells, did it again. She remarked that I had a high pain threshold.
Breathe deep.
I went home and read up on endometrial cancer and the studies on the survival-rate effectiveness (not!) of lymphadenectomy with clinically-observed and the most-common stage 1. Etc.
They told me I would get the results in a week and I was thinking better to wait less than you thought you’d have to than longer, right? And so I hoped it would turn out to be sooner than that ohpleaseohplease.
I got an email this morning asking me to sign into the clinic’s online site. Already? Oh good. I think. Took a deep breath, knowing it would either say what I hoped or else it would ask me to come in to be told the news in person.
Signed in. Went to my inbox there. Slow, slow motion, as if the whole thing were echoing the endless, dragging last three days.
Not even the doctor, just a note from her nurse. No cancer cells. No precancerous cells. No sign.
NO CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a good thing Richard was still home so I had someone to dance with.
Michelle flies home from school tonight for her friend’s wedding. There is serious celebration to be had.
(Ed. to add: that drug was Remicade, and I was put back on it 8 months later for awhile, then three years ago Humira, an improved variant.)
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Great news! My sister went through edometrial cancer treatment (chemotherapy)three years ago. Thankfully, she remains cancer free.
Comment by Charlotte 01.13.12 @ 3:33 pmHooray! I’m glad Richard was home for that dance. Have a GREAT weekend.
Comment by Channon 01.13.12 @ 3:59 pmI’m celebrating with you from snowy Montreal!!! Happy dance time!!! 😀
Comment by Suzanne in Montreal 01.13.12 @ 5:16 pmWhat a relief – congratulations. Life truly is precious, isn’t it?
Comment by Molly 01.13.12 @ 6:28 pmYAY!!
Comment by Anne 01.13.12 @ 11:43 pmCongratulations!!! And I’m so glad you had that dance!!
Comment by andrea 01.14.12 @ 1:07 amDance on and on and on. So glad the news was good.
Comment by pat Flores 01.14.12 @ 6:06 amThank God!!!
Comment by Amy Samin 01.14.12 @ 7:36 amAnd it’s all good! Thank you, Lord.
Comment by Sherry in Idaho 01.14.12 @ 8:17 amOh yay! Oh happy dance! Oh my yes, do celebrate triple time! What a relief. (((((Hugs)))))
Comment by DebbieR 01.14.12 @ 9:31 amhappy dancing going on here for you!!! what a relief — it’s clear the Lord has other plans for you here!
Comment by Bev 01.14.12 @ 9:45 amWhat a relief! What goodness!
Comment by melanie 01.14.12 @ 10:12 amCELEBRATE! You had me scared there for a bit. I too would dance, if I were able. Just did a mental one.
Comment by Don Meyer 01.14.12 @ 10:41 amOh, thank the dear Lord above! Dance all weekend dear friend!!!
Comment by Pegi 01.14.12 @ 11:03 amSo glad for the good news. Hoping you can have a while now where heath issues are status quo, nothing new or difficult!
Comment by India 01.14.12 @ 12:13 pmExcellent news! Congrats to all!
Comment by Margo Lynn 01.14.12 @ 12:22 pmI almost fainted because I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I read to the end. Mazel Tov!
Comment by Robin 01.14.12 @ 12:56 pmCongratulations! I got a call yesterday telling me that my colon is beautiful. The funny bits the doctor snipped off were nothing. (I know you don’t have a colon, but you have also avoided the stupid pacemaker. Good for you). Anyway, Yay for NOTHING (because nothing is so much better than cancer.)
Comment by LauraN 01.14.12 @ 1:02 pmHow lovely to hear this!
Comment by sjanova 01.14.12 @ 2:02 pmTerrific news! And a great system – I just get ominous phone calls telling me to come in. NOW.
(so far, no problems, however…)
That is awesome news! So very, very happy to know He has blessed you once again!
Comment by Shelly H 01.14.12 @ 5:11 pmso great that your dh was home to celebrate with you!
Comment by soozie 01.14.12 @ 10:38 pmNow, that is GREAT news!
Comment by Afton 01.16.12 @ 2:04 pmLeave a comment
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