Day 21 - 6th Chemo Cycle - REMISSION!!!

Today finally arrived!  The morning crawled by as I waited for my doctor's apointment at 3:00 p.m.  Two good friends called to help distract me and I really appreciated their phone calls.  The time came to go to my appointment.  I sat and waited in the waiting room and then in the examination room.  I couldn't keep my foot from swinging as I waited.  My nerves were showing.

My doctor arrived and sat down.  He said my blood levels were perfect.  Then he said my CT scan was absolutely clear.  He took me and my husband to his office and showed us the CT scans from December and then showed us the CT scan from Friday.  It was definitely clear!  I'm officially in remission!!!!

I have a check up with him in 5 weeks time.  He said that I should feel really well and back to normal in about 3 to 4 weeks.  He gave me permission to live life fully and without any restrictions.  After my appointment in June, I will see him every 3 months for 2 years.  Then I will see him every 6 months and finally I will see him once a year.  If I am to have a relapse, it will happen with 12 to 18 months.  There is a 12-15% chance of a relapse.  After 18 months from now, there is a 2-5% chance of a relapse until I hit the 5 year mark from now.  I still think these are good odds.

I must say that I would not have completed this part of the marathon nearly as well without all of my friends and family's support through positive thoughts, prayers, blessings, karma and suggested ways of dealing with stress.  This all has helped me keep my own faith strong even when it was challenged and wobbled in doubt.

Now I can go on with my life and living life to the fullest. I plan to enjoy every single minute of it. I've already been asked, "Will you continue your blog?" I don't know how often I will write an entry but I will continue the blog until I am deemed cured in 5 years. I imagine that I may have times of anxiety or doubt and at that time, I may feel it helpful to write an entry to the blog.

My plans tomorrow are to continue working on my hedge.  Maybe start planting my garden.  Maybe do some weeding.  I just want to enjoy the outdoors and taking each moment and enjoying it.  I do know that I will be having a visit with a friend that I've reconnected with tomorrow afternoon.  May the living begin anew!