Well, we’ve been home from Houston for about a week now. So far, so good. It’s funny how the routine and realities of life settle-in so easily. We are extremely grateful for the clear scans and we continue our prayers as we anticipate the repeat of our doctors’ appointments and scans at the end of January. Every clear check-up points me in the right direction of one day being declared, “cured”.  As one of my doctors summed it up, “One year is excellent. Three years is cured.”

As much as we want to be jubilant and energized from our wonderful news, Jonathan and I find ourselves in a place of exhaustion. For months we have been living on adrenaline – going from test to test, one appointment after another and one complicated treatment after another. Now we are coming to the surface. The numbness that enabled us to pursue a diagnosis and treatment with full gusto has now worn off into a state of shock. I can’t put it into words. I imagine it is completely normal and I think it is a matter of time to adjust.

During our appointments last week, we addressed eye, skin & hair side effects with the doctors. Since radiation is ever-evolving long after the actual treatment has ended, many things will take time to see how they resolve. Most of it will be treatable. Some of my fatigue I mentioned above can be attributed to anemia – my blood counts will go up and down for some time as my body recovers from the stem cell transplant.

God has carried us through the scariest days of this trial, and we will continue to lean on Him as we anticipate scans every few months and experience the aftermath of my treatments. Thank you for your prayers. I can’t imagine what this would be like without our faith and the prayers of my family, friends and others who have been willing to pray. God has not taken away all of my pain or fear or difficulties, but He has blessed me with an awareness of His love, comfort, peace and ultimate use of this hardship for good.

On a lighter note, here is a link to some amazing photography/filmography of the majestic nature in Wyoming – amazing this is only one small geographic area. I can’t watch it enough – it is a wonderful display of God’s power and beauty. I hope you enjoy it too.

Well, it has been a few weeks since I’ve updated my blog. I guess I haven’t really had much to say – which I’m looking at as a good thing! I have felt pretty good. I still tire easily, get frustrated with my cosmetic challenges and have the occasional ache and nausea, but that severely pales in comparison to my great joy in not feeling any new knots around my eye/forehead area.

In the 6 or so weeks that we’ve been back into the swing of things, we have purposely tried to seize our days with fun activities. Our family has camped, canoed, hiked, ridden horses and had some one-on-time with some friends and extended family. We have been blessed with continued meals being brought to our home, and we even had a crew of 9 ladies from our church spend last Wednesday morning with me here at the house. 3 of the ladies planted fall flowers outside and the other 6 brought cleaning supplies and went to work throughout our entire house! Having 9 ambitious women working on our house for 2-3 hours resulted in our home being the cleanest it’s ever been, and allowed me the opportunity to bask in a tidy home while not having to lift a finger. I could get used to that! Thank you, ladies!!!

Jonathan and I will leave next Monday for Houston. We will have 3-4 days of appointments including: 2 CT scans, a PET scan, and appointments with the ophthalmologist, dermatologist, stem cell doctor and radiation oncologist. I have a peace within that all will be well. Please pray for clear scans, wisdom for each one of my doctors, and safe travels.

Here are some pictures of our activities – and maybe a couple of random ones . . .