It's a Beautiful Day

On Monday morning I woke up in a GREAT mood…..I’m DONE with cancer treatments! What a strange but wonderful feeling! The weekend my radiation burns were super itchy and rather painful. But, my Monday….it had subsided somewhat. I was alone in the house as the “boys” were at work and our daughter had left the day before for a week of camp. I relished the silence…..no TV, no music…..just me and my thoughts as I cleaned. I realized by about lunchtime that I was sighing an awful lot…..immense sighs of relief!

I’ve officially ditched the wig and wow…that felt great! I’m now sporting a very short and sassy “do.” I couldn’t help but smile today when the desk person where I get my PT complimented me on my new “haircut.” I just thanked him and didn’t bother explaining it was actually just the return of my own hair. And, it was nice to be seen as a “normal” person, not a cancer patient!!

Life just seems that much sweeter right now and I really hope I never lose this perspective. Sure….I knew before this battle how blessed I am and how precious life is, but honestly, never at this deep of a level. So now my life will be all sunshine and butterflies and nothing will ever bother me again!! And if you believe that, I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona! But, I pray that I’ll be a kinder and gentler me. I hope I never take those whom I love for granted. And, continue to have that close fellowship with God!

We see the oncologist on July 9 and I’m hoping to hear I’m “NED.” No, I’m not changing my name….that stands for “No Evidence of Disease.” (I’d never heard that before this.) It’s what every cancer patient longs to hear and unfortunately, not everyone does.

Prayers of thanksgiving that radiation went well and that we are done! (we hope!) Also, I'd appreciate prayers for peace. I said to Dave I feel like the physical battle is over but the emotional one could be lurking around the corner. Is that headache ONLY a headache, or a symptom of something else? Should I be concerned with that shooting pain in my side? It can be a little unnerving!

But, for the most part, it’s been a boring and beautiful week…..grocery shopping, cleaning, meeting friends and celebrating life! “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Have a joy-filled day!

In His Strength,

Cindy and the VK's

My Happy Ending

Wow! It's been a busy, crazy week! I found myself celebrating a lot of "endings" this week. Wednesday at noon, I waved as the buses pulled out of school for the last this school year. And, although I'll miss seeing the kids and staff, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief that I'd made it! Wednesday night I attended the MS Graduation and Thursday night I had the privilege of watching my niece graduate high school. Yet, these endings also signify new beginnings.....the kids on the bus were no doubt celebrating the beginning of summer (so am I!!), the MS students anticipate starting high school and the newly graduated seniors are looking forward to employment or college.

I'm preparing to celebrate the end of cancer treatments next Friday! I have five more radiation treatments left! I'm SO thankful to report it's been going better than I expected. Sure, my skin is getting a little crispy and I'm definitely feeling the "itch." But, I haven't been struck with the overwhelming tiredness. I am currently fighting a sinus infection and allergies, and that's been a drag, but I'm on meds and should be feeling better soon. So, on Friday, June 13th, as I pull out of the Cancer Care Center, I'll be celebrating a brand new beginning, too! I'm not going to lie...it will be an adjustment. For the last nine months, we've been actively fighting the cancer and now we are "done."I don't see my oncologist until beginning of July. I'll continue to receive a drug infusion every three weeks through November. But, I'm waiting for the official "declaration" that I am cancer-free.

Like those students who left school and learned lessons, we've learned many things throughout this journey. I'm looking forward to having time to just sit back and process all that has happened. Man, it's been a year! God has been SO faithful and has always met our needs! I'd appreciate prayers that this last week will go well and this infection will clear up. I haven't been able to sleep due to the coughing. And, please pray for peace as we wait to see the oncologist.

Here's to happy endings and brand new beginnings!! Hmm.....isn't God both the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end? Interesting!!

In His Strength,


Cindy and the VK's