Today John rang the bell at the radiation department at the James Hospital. He completed twenty days of radiation - which has meant trekking to the James five days a week for four weeks. It has been a challenge! I took a picture of him in front of the bell that said:
"Ring this bell
three times well
to celebrate this day
My course is run
My work is done
And I'm on my way"
We are on our way but the work is not done yet. He still will have four weeks of infusions in the hope that the B Cell Lymphoma is being eliminated. Let us hope.
I continue with my regimen of chemo every three weeks and now - for the last six months - my numbers have been slowly coming down. It started at 400 and at the last blood test it was 60! So at the end of this up and down year, I feel pretty positive that I am going to be around for a while. The chemo, by the way, does not affect my hair - which is looking pretty good these days - or my pickleball. I truly have much to be grateful for.
As I look back on the hard parts of this year - John's fall and 28 day stay in the hospital, my surgery, my chemo and his diagnosis of his B Cell lymphoma - I realize it has been a lot! At the same time, we have done it, but not alone. Our friends rallied to us especially during the time of my surgery and John's fall and my daughters were there for me every day I was in the hospital. We have had innumerable people provide us with food and other help and prayers galore. We have been blessed through it all.
I know the work of the trips to the James for radiation is done, but the work of living with cancer and all of the ramifications of it will continue. I end this year in awe and gratitude for the healing that we have experienced and the love that we have received.
My cousin Pam ended her Christmas Card with this; "Lots of Tricks in 2026!" YES!!!!
