Good news, people. Good. News.

Sep 15

I really felt good about this one.

A bizarre peace,  you could say.

Last week I was driving my mom and Greta as we were heading for a lunch date, and Mom said, “I can tell you are scanxious about the upcoming scan.”

I kind of wrinkled my face and said, “Meh, I don’t think so.  I know it’s coming but I’m not stressing over it.”

And really?  I wasn’t feeling scanxious.  (I think it was her scanxiety she was picking up!)  I’ve no doubt it’s easier to be the cancer patient than it is to be the mother of the cancer patient.  And also, the scan is the tool that tells us what is happening… the scan itself is not the enemy.

Today I cleaned out my car in my small window of time between appointments.  I unloaded my dishwasher.  I made a grocery list.  I edited my Green BEAN Delivery cart.  I prayed, I listened to music, and I peacefully moved about taking care of simple tasks.  I did not wring my hands, or weep, or tremble.  I am too busy living to be worried about dying.  Once again, I felt surrounded by a supernatural peace.  God keeps anointing me with this peace at different points along the way.  For the past month, I’ve felt the weight of the scan — the importance of it, but I haven’t felt fear, woe or dread.  Instead, just peace; and now–what an affirmation!  Thank you Jesus.

Dr. Wonderful is great because he walks into the exam room, shuts the door, and cuts right to the chase.  I thought he was looking a little bit smile-y, so I knew his news would be good: “Today’s scan showed some activity at exactly the same spot as your previous lung surgery site.  The radiologist and I both believe this is residual inflammation/scar tissue left over from your thoracoscopy surgery in November, but — as you well know — we can’t be one-hundred percent sure.  I’m going to run some bloodwork to make sure that everything looks good there, and we’ll repeat the PET scan in three months instead of six months.”  He continued, “The rest of the scan is completely clean–nothing whatsoever to talk about.”

“So, Dr. Wonderful,” I said, “Do you really think this is post-surgical activities ten months after the surgery, or do you think this is the start of cancer drama in that same spot?”

He said he really thinks it is inflammation from surgery.  The “uptake level” is a measurable number that they retrieve on these tests, and today’s spot showed an uptake level of two.  Cancer spots show an uptake level of three/four/five.  The scan is not indicating cancer.  Further, Dr. Wonderful’s treatment practices are such that if he believed it was cancer in that spot, he would be aggressive and make treatment changes right away.  He is always acting in my best interests.

I gave him a high-five and let the celebrating commence!

The science says no cancer.

Dr. Wonderful says no cancer.

My intuition has been saying no cancer.

Hallelujah!  HALLELUJAH!

The truth is that this scan — this clean scan — is a big deal.  Six months have passed since my last chemo treatment and in these six months there has been no cancer activity.  It means that there is not aggressive, ugly cancer growing.  It means I have time.  I get to continue my treatment protocol of Herceptin, Perjeta and Faslodex–drugs that have very minimal, very tolerable side effects.  I get to have energy to be Normal Fun Mom.  I get to I get to tell my story of the legitimate miracle of my NED status continuing.  I get to revel in the knowledge that TODAY is a great day.  I will Do Today Well!

I am blessed indeed.

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts.  Oh, happy day!

 

40 comments

  1. Lisa Marker /

    Spectacular!!!

  2. Sounds like a great Monday 🙂

  3. Lori6NV /

    Have been waiting all day to see this! Hooray! Hooray! God is good, and your positivity certainly has something to do with this, too.

  4. Yay!!!!!!!!

  5. Whoo-hoo! Will continue to pray!

  6. Lisa Farrell /

    It is we who are blessed to know you. Thanks for sharing your life so opening and inspiring us.

  7. ohiofishergirl /

    Woo hoo!!! Doing the happy dance for you!!! Hugs, Lauri & Dale

  8. Happy, Happy Day! Since you were so diligent to get work done, I think this has left the rest of the day WIDE open for celebrating! ENJOY

  9. Awesome news…we are celebrating with you!

  10. SO glad to hear this great news!!

  11. S.M.I.L.I.N.G…that’s all, just S.M.I.L.I.N.G (from ear to ear). You did indeed, “Do Today Well”. Not get back to being normal fun mom (and sexy, hot wife!). ♥p

  12. Thank you Jesus indeed!!!

  13. Kim Rourke /

    Awesome!

  14. Karen Almand /

    Celebrating with you!
    Karen from Memphis
    You continue to be in my prayers.

    P.S. I am often thinking about and praying “To Do Today Well” so you have inspired me, my dear 🙂

  15. Sue Brelsford /

    Not only celebrating with you and your family on this good news but celebrating “You”!

  16. ShannonK /

    Awesome!!!!!!!!!

  17. What a beautiful, glorious day! So grateful of the clear scan and the rising hope that the ugly, aggressive cancer will not have a home in your body ever again. May your body continue to be a sacred place of love, healing, and joy. Love, Love, Love!

  18. HAPPY DANCING AND HIGH FIVING FROM bEERWAH.
    LOVE NEECIE

  19. Margaret /

    I just got up on this beautiful Tuesday morning and read this wonderful news! That is awesome Jen.

  20. So, so happy to hear your friend NED is still hanging around!

  21. Melissa Pizzato /

    This is the wonderful news we have all been hoping for! Today is definitely a great day! Massive congrats Jen – what a brilliant result!!!!! Phew, and yahoo…. And, of course, we love you xxxxxxxxxxooooooooooo

  22. Michelle /

    Rock and Roll hippie fun chic!!!! Motor on…enjoy the season and all that comes with it!!!

  23. UK mummy /

    I am so pleased to hear your news. I have been waiting all day and it was a long day as we are ahead of you here in England! So thrilled for you and your family xxx

  24. Yes!!!!!!!!

  25. Sharon House /

    Have your feet hit the ground yet? Wonderful, wonderful news!

  26. Hallelujah! God is good! So happy for you!

  27. I am in tears with joy for you and your family. Praise God!!!!!!

  28. Christin /

    Yay! Yay! Yay! Praise Him!!

  29. Julie Hughes /

    Thanking God for this wonderful news!! Love and prayers from Alabama!!

  30. Awesome news!!!

  31. My heart is rejoicing with you!

  32. Wonderful news!

  33. Jennifer /

    Oh Happy Day Indeed! Smiling on the west coast about this news for you, dear stranger, beautiful-writer, warrior-woman. May this goodness continue on for a long, long time.

  34. I am smiling ear to ear and back again! So happy!

  35. Sherry Stoffer /

    How WONDERFUL!!!!! So happy for you all! Keep doing everyday well!

  36. Marsha Vonderwish /

    I have greatful tears of happiness! Praise the Lord! (We would no matter what)
    I’m sure you had happy family time last night!

  37. Rita O'Brien /

    Awesome news. I breathed a sigh of relief after reading this blog. Celebrate large and live strong!!

  38. Kathleen /

    Hallelujah! Great news! Also doing the happy dance!!!

  39. The peace of God that passes all understanding PLUS medical proof that worry is unnecessary… your news makes my day so happy! ♥

  40. Tiffany /

    This is the BEST news I’ve heard in a long time! So grateful for God’s continued favor and blessings over your life!! He is SO GOOD!!