One Year Ago Today…

One year ago today,

I had hair, long hair.
I was scared.
I didn’t know what to expect.
I had my first PET scan.
I wondered what the doctors would find.
I was afraid of having my blood drawn.
I was terrified of chemo.
I worried about the future.

Today,

I have short, fun, sassy hair. But I HAVE hair!
I am still nervous when I go into the doctor’s office.
I know what happens when you’re diagnosed with cancer, and it’s not fun to go through.
I know that the doctors have found that I no longer have cancer!
I still don’t like having my blood drawn, but it’s not as scary as it used to be.
I have conquered chemo.
I am at peace about my future, and it looks good!

I’ve come a long way in a year. I’ve seen and done things that I never want to repeat, yet wouldn’t trade, (and no, I’m not lying). I am writing this as I sit in the waiting room for my 6 month post-chemo checkup with Dr. Sharman at the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute in Springfield, OR. I am so thankful for the love and care they showed me through my battle.

Do I worry about my cancer coming back? Sometimes, but it’s usually only when I’m sitting in places like this. Most of the time, I’m out being normal – living my life!

I have to say a special thank you to Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette, and the non-profit foundation of Keller Williams Realty International, KW Cares. If it weren’t for the financial assistance that we received from them and many others not affiliated with KW, we would be buried in debt with little hope of recovering for years. For all you have all done, I am so grateful.

God has truly been my strength through all of this. I’m reminded daily as I hear songs on Air1 and KLove – songs that encouraged me through the tough times. He gave me the strength and the will to make it. Everyone else was like God “with skin on”. You gave me encouragement, love, hope and inspiration. Courage to make it through. And because of that, today I am cancer free.

On the left is my first PET Scan, on 4/23/13, and on the right is my most recent PET Scan image on 1/25/13.  Note that the cancer mass in my chest (the irregularly shaped one) is no longer lighting up with cancer!  The other large, dark spots you see are the heart, kidneys, and bladder.  And of course my brain & face, but I figured you knew that. 🙂