We are so happy to be home, and this time is looks like staying here may be indefinite. At the airport yesterday, we saw this banner right next to our boarding gate. How perfect. Jonathan convinced me to stand by it for a “quick” picture. I always feel goofy doing that – you know how people have to wait to the side, etc. – but I told myself I’ve earned this, who cares. 🙂
As you know, I had clear scans of my entire body on Monday. My radiation oncologist (who’s been my 100% advocate through all of this) was very encouraging, and my stem cell doctor said I could return to Vanderbilt for my continued care. I never dreamed I could possibly let go that quickly. Thankfully, he’s very confident in his colleague that works at VUMC and knows he is very capable to watch me from here. What a lightening of our spirit that we never expected.
My eye surgeon also recommended I have my eye surgery at VUMC, so that they can regularly follow me. As well, as my dermatologist says VUMC has a great academic dermatology group see for my follow-ups. One-by-one, each visit felt like the invisible oppression was lifting.
So now we are home. I’m told to stop all of the self-exams and wondering and just “trust the process” now. Both MDA and VUMC have timetables and tests that we will follow. From what I interpret, making it to 6 months with undetectable lymphoma is very encouraging considering the very aggressive nature of my disease. I feel so so blessed to have had the aggressive treatment that I had. It really could have gone down a completely different path. I’m not saying I’ve been deemed cured, but it feels like it could be possible down the road.
So, now we continue trusting God, following the MD’s guidelines – I have to treat some Graft Versus Host Disease for my skin and liver, my immune system is still being suppressed so there are many rules for avoiding infection, and my eye will still need the minor surgery. All of those things are doable and I’ll take it a day-at-a-time.
Thank you for your prayers! In general, please pray for cancer research and its cure – it’s a horrid disease. As you walk through MDA you see all ages, races, socioeconomic classes, and countries represented, etc. Most have been completely blind-sided with their diagnosis. Some are positive and inspirational, and others appear hopeless and faithless.
Please continue to pray for our family as well. We will continue to put our trust in Jesus.
