Three In a Row

A clear scan.

I could hardly believe my ears when the words came out of his mouth.  But the smile on his face and on the face of my husband told me it was true.  For the third time in a row, there is no evidence of any active cancer in my body.

I can hardly believe the grace we have been shown.

I could not pull myself together.  Dr. C and JD kept talking about what we do next and I tried weighing in on the conversation but just kept faltering.

So.  What do we do next?  That is kind of the hard part.  Hard in that there is nothing to tell us what we should do.  No clinical guidelines to follow.  No research that gives a clear picture.  Truth is that there are so few of us that survive this long and do this well that there’s not enough to study.

So we go on intuition and gut feelings and we pray a lot.  For now, the plan is to spread my treatments out a bit.  To do one every 4 weeks instead of every 3.  An extra week may not sound like much but it sounds like heaven to me to have another week to recover and feel good between treatments.  I have been showing signs of toxicity.  After my last treatment in May about half my hair fell out again.  That was worse than being completely bald.  I stay busy trying to arrange the 3 hairs on my head just right to show the least amount of scalp possible but I’m rarely successful.  The tingling in my hands has gotten a bit worse and the fatigue is not so pleasant.

But I’m here.  Twenty months into a journey that doesn’t last half that long for most people, I’m here and doing well.  I’m going to be able to have a great summer with my family and it’s starting to look like putting a deposit on that house for next spring break wasn’t foolish after all.

Thank you for your prayers and your well wishes.  Twenty months in they mean more than ever.  I’m thankful for your steadfastness.

And for His.

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19 Responses to Three In a Row

  1. Pepper Lindsey says:

    You have been such an inspiration to us as we traverse our own journey with lung cancer. Your posts have comforted us, made us laugh, cry, hope and pray right along with you. Perhaps that’s why you are here and why you have been chosen. Congratulations to you and your family on your continued awesome news. I heard it in a song recently by Mercy Me, “Healing doesn’t come from the explained.” I think you have proven that. Here’s to 20 more years and then some. Happy Day!

  2. Barbara Joy says:

    This is such incredible news..I am do happy for you and your family. I agree with Pepper..you were chosen..and you have shown such amazing courage and faith. You are an inspiration to many…I will continue to pray for you and I continue to share your story in hopes that it might encourage others who are facing their own challenges…enjoy that extra week..it is definitely a big deal..peace and grace Sara…

  3. Tania says:

    I waited with baited breath for your results, from here in England. Congratulations, it is really wonderful. My own mother has been granted extra time, having been given only two months to live with advanced lung cancer, we take each day as it comes with gratitude, we are now 5 months on and she is surprising everybody with her vitality.
    well done and keep up the good work!

  4. Carol says:

    This is fanatastic news! More than fantastic really!!! I have been thinking of so, so much and couldn’t be happier for you all. This was truly the best news i have heard this week!! Praise God! Thanks be to be God! God IS good! Time to celebrate in all your hard work!!

  5. Lois McGee says:

    Am SOOOOO happy for you!! How well I can understand the difference between 3 weeks and 4 weeks. One needs every day possible to regroup and just plain”feel good!!”
    I repeat –”PRAYER is POWER!”
    Love you, Sara

  6. Papa says:

    I couldn’t right off the bat think of anything intelligent to say, so I cut and pasted a few words from a Western New York United Methodist sermon that seemed to cover it: First the psalm, the song of the thunderstorm, where the poet realizes that God is present in the very creation that scares the heck out of us. God’s incredible power in creation is recognized, and it immediately leads to recognizing our human smallness. In the force of a tsunami, what’s a mere human being? God’s power leads us to realize our smallness: majesty and humility, and that leads the poet to seek strength and blessing…to understand that something much bigger than me is unleashed in the world, and I need what that Something has to offer. You are awesome God, bless me with peace. < Thanks Fairport United Methodist Church

  7. Ann says:

    Awe struck and so thankful…we are blessed. The Lord is our Strength and our Shield, our Ever Present Help in time of need. Counting my blessings.

  8. Stephanie says:

    Like so many of your posts, this brought tears to my eyes. I’m just so very happy for you, JD, and the girls. More time being together with your wonderful family….how precious!

  9. Tracy Blanchard says:

    Wow Wee, Sara I am so happy. I am so glad you stopped by the office for a visit. It was great to see you and know that you are the same old Sara that we love and miss.

  10. Annie Dutcher says:

    I can’t tell you how excited I am for you. What wonderful, marvelous news!!!

  11. Donna Thomas says:

    God is good all the time
    All the time God is good.
    Praise Him from whom all blessing flow!! My heart is full of Praise as I read you blog.
    hugs

  12. Scott says:

    “But I’m here” says it all. I about choked up when I read that. You are here and I am betting you’ll be “here” for a long time! Praise to our Father!

  13. Diane Trawitz says:

    Thanks be to God!!!!! What wonderful news!!!!!

  14. Charlotte says:

    Thinking about what you have in your life and so very happy for you. Each day is a blessing for you, where you turn around and bless others with your winning ways! Stilling thinking of you, always praying for the family XOXO

  15. janece says:

    With our God…we have the Bestest chance of beating the Odds !!! God Bless !…and we will pray for another Clear scan ! Love you.

  16. Pam Barton says:

    That is fantastic news! I will keep sending prayers your way! Miss you guys.

  17. Jill McWilliams says:

    Oh Sara~

    This is such amazing news. We rejoice with you, JD and the girls!!! Love you and miss you tons!

    Hugs~

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