Cancerversary

Hard to believe it’s really here. Wasn’t it only yesterday (not 365 yesterdays) that I first heard the C word - and my life changed forever.  And to make it the more insane, I’m writing this while on a flight home from Dallas - the place where it ALL began!

We’ve been through so much together - yes, all of us dear readers, family and friends.  The initial diagnosis.  The urgent rush to start chemo - to save my fragile kidneys (good call Dr S).  The three months of treatments - poking and prodding and hours at the infusion clinic.  an extra-special thanksgiving and the unique gifts of the holiday season.  the BEGINNING of a new year PUNCTUATED by The stem cell transplant - a process as marveloous, mysterious and magical as it is awe-inspiring.  And then the climb back up from a dead-zero white blood cell count - a dichotomy of ultimate vulnerability and the promising strength of new birth.

now here I stand, changed in so many ways and yet ironically the same.  One year down and so many more yet to come.  Shaking the sophomore jinx and sliding into year-two with reckless abandon and renewed red blood cells.  Living, loving and laughing.  “F” the Big C.  We won.  Thanks for joining my journey.  It's extremely comforting to look around and see you all here beside me.