Cancer has changed us...
celebrating Jeff and 2 years remission!
Jeff’s birthday is next week. He will be turning 50. We have so much to celebrate this month: a milestone birthday and his victory over testicular cancer.
We saw his oncologist last week. Jeff’s bloodwork and scans were clear. We heard the word remission and my heart sang. What a relief.
I would be lying if I said these follow-ups were easy. I dread them.
I noticed my thoughts a few days before…the annoying, overprotective voice. Do you think it came back? He has been complaining of stomach discomfort…what if the scan shows the cancer in a new spot? Can I still celebrate this book if it comes back?
I know. I know. What wild thoughts.
Before this appointment, I had moments when I forgot what we went through. Isn’t that wonderful and weird? How could I forget such a terrible time?
Yet these appointments remind me of what we endured as a family and what we learned.
It’s easy to be grateful— Jeff is here with us.
He will celebrate his 50th birthday.
We will count our blessings. We will buy balloons. We will start making plans to see the world.
We recognize the value of time and priorities. We have gained a new perspective and balancing our checkbook is not as important as it was before.
Yes, cancer has changed Jeff. It has changed me and my children. Yet I believe it has changed us for the good.
Thank you for reading,
Julie
P.S. I’ll keep Wednesday posts sectioned under A REAL BALLBUSTER: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together. I’ll be sharing lessons learned, gifts, and updates on A REAL BALLBUSTER: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together as it soars into the world. If this isn’t for you no problem— head to your subscription (manage subscriptions) for Run to Write and toggle off this section. Looks like this:
Yes! A second chance!
A butterfly emerges
Now it’s time to fly…
I understand a doctor is to do everything in their power to sustain life. What a blessing that Jeff is now the one who has been sustained. Most humans take the miracle of life for granted all our lives. It is rare for someone to contemplate “existence” at all. That very thought astonishes me. I know it will forever astonish both you & Jeff. Amen.
Hurrah! To both Jeff and you for staying the course. The tone of today’s post delights me, as it reflects such a different tone from the days of the recurrence and treatment you all navigated. All the very best to you and your family.