Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Two Greatest Phrases . . .

“Cancer Survivor” . . . and “Your PET Scan was completely normal.”  I won’t make you read all the way to the end.  Mom’s fine . . . we’re ecstatic.  And now I’ll tell the story.

Mom’s appointment was at 9:00 this morning.  To completely appreciate this story, you have to understand how our internal clocks work.  I am always on time – exactly on time.  So for a 9:00 appointment, I will arrive between 8:58 and 9:00.  Blake is always ten minutes early.  My dad is even earlier than that.  And Blake picked up Mom and Dad this morning, so he was on their clock.  No big deal – doctors are always running late.

So imagine my surprise (and heightened stress) when my cell phone rings at 8:45 and Blake tells me they are in Exam Room 4.  Of course, I am still on I-75 and ten minutes away.  By 8:58, the suspense was over – I walked into an Exam Room 4 full of happy people rehashing the results and discussing plans for checkups in the future.  Other than being disappointed that I missed the announcement, I couldn’t care less – I was dreading a 45 minute stay in the waiting room while the tension mounted.

Blake told me later how it went – Dr. Merl (the oncologist) walked into the exam room, handed a sheet of paper to Blake, and said “Let’s see how your eyesight is this morning – read the last line.”  So Blake read -- “No signs of malignancy or any other irregularities.”  And at that point, the oncologist looked at Mom and said “You are in complete remission.”

Mom will go back for a checkup in three months, and probably another PET Scan in six months.  She is thrilled that there is no more chemo (and also that her hair will continue to grow).  I wish I had been prepared to take a picture just after the oncologist left the room, when Mom did a very un-Momlike thing – she threw both fists into the air and shouted “YES!!!”

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Instead, you get the posed shot in the parking lot shortly after.  I have said it so many times, but I can’t begin to thank all of you enough for your cards, e-mails, and prayers.  You have touched my mom and my family so much, and I have no doubt that each of you played a part in her recovery.  God is truly good.

21 comments:

  1. Such wonderful news! I'm so happy for your mom and your whole family! A very good day!

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  2. What a delightful pre-Mother's Day post!! Enjoy every moment you get to have with your Mom!! What a cause for celebration!! I'm crying and I don't even know you or your mom. Happy news gets me every time.

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  3. What great news! It's the best gift your Mom could have received for Mother's Day. Wishing you and your family a great celebration.

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  4. I agree. What a great Mother's day present. I am so happy for you and your family.

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  5. Yes! God is good....so thankful your mom is cancer-free now! My 44 year old daughter just began the fight a month ago. We pray her results will be the same one day in the future.

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  6. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. This is something we say in
    church each Sunday, and it particularly applies here. What wonderful news! So happy
    for you, your Mom and the whole family!

    Sherry in MI

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  7. I am so happy to hear the good news! God Is Good! Now go celebrate Mother's Day in a BIG way!

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  8. That is the greatest news!!! It certainly shows in the picture. It may have been "un-Mom" like but I'm surprised ALL she did was yell YES!!!! This is going to be one of the best Mother's Day EVER!

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  9. So happy to hear this wonderful news! Many blessings to you and your family!!

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  10. Praise be to God!!! What a wonderful report and I love your mom's reaction. Many prayers answered!!! On a side note, my mom came home from the hospital today so it is a day of rejoicing for us as well. Now if we can just see that she doesn't have to make a 5th trip back, we will be batting 1000. Sleep well!!!

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  11. Wahoooo! What a wonderful Mother's Day gift for your Mom and ALL of you.

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    1. Awesome news!! Wonderful to hear! I wish her and your family all the best.

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  12. so happy for you, i know how relieved you are. my DH had his PET scan Tuesday, no results as of yet and he is to be readmitted on 5/22 for another 4 days of 24 hr chemo.... yes he is in a very aggresive treatment regimin and is admitted every 3 weeks for this. we just hope it works

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  13. So happy for you and your Mom and your family! This is truly going to be a very Happy Mothers Day!! God Bless!!

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  14. I read this the day it posted, but am just getting back to comment. This is wonderful news! To God be the glory. So thankful for this good report.

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