My deepest apologizes if you have yet to receive the memo but I have been making the most of it and have been quite busy.
However, without further ado:
I AM IN REMISSION!!!!!!!!
No more caps lock, I don't want you to feel as if I am yelling at you.
Here is a brief-ish summary since I last typed:
I went to Bloomington and got a studio apartment behind-ish Yogi's (really it is more behind Mr. Copy but it isn't as well known). We also took a mini-trip for spring break to Columbus, OH. We went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and COSi. Pictures available here.
And there was Rummage Sale.
And then I had chem #10 and then chemo #11.
And then chemo #12- the finale! A few close friends went with us (plus Dad and Kim). And one of my nurses stayed past her shift end to see me ring the done-with-chemo bell. (Video on Dad's FB if you want to see and are "friends" with him.)
Being the awesome person I am, I made roughly 4 dozen cupcakes for my Thursday class and chemo nurses (red velvet w/cream cheese and funfetti w/white & sprinkles and Oreos b/c one girl was vegan).
When we got home, I found 3 boxes of flowers on the front porch from "Becky". I put the quotes because there was a bit of confusion about the flowers. 2 of the notes said "Becky"- Becky P. However, the third was signed "BBE&A" so Mom and I thought is was from Becky, Brain, Email and Andy. Nope, it was also from Becky P (and her family).
I also got flowers from Brandt & Christine (the balloons from the previous flowers were still floating in the living room).
I went to Bloomington for CollinsFest- Mom drove as I was still tired.
I went to California to visit the West Coast Van Wyks. It was very much fun. Special shout-out to "Uncle" Gary for the plane tickets. Picture here.
I also started cognitive training with a woman at Mom's office- I can name the presidents forward and backward really quickly. When not training with Naz, I worked a few hours a day (2.5) at MCCOY in Early Intervention & Prevention admin assistant stuff.
Then I had an interview with IU Health as a Corporate Communications intern (spoilers... I got it an I love it).
Then I had my CT and PET scan. And I got my results and I am in the clear (pending the next 5 years).
We met with Dr. Azar and as you can guess from the beginning of this (turning out to be long) message - I am in remission. I have a 5cm bit of scar tissue in my chest but there are no live cancer cells in my body. But Dr. Azar can't get rid of me that easily. I will see him every 3 months for the next 3 years and every 6 months for years 4 & 5 (scans every 3 for the first year, then every 6 for years 2 through 5).
Dr. Azar told me to expect to gradually start feeling better. It can take up to 6 months to get to 80% of "feeling good" and a full year to get back to 100%.
I am feeling much better. I got my port out - I was ready to rip it out on my own or seriously cut myself in the area and then go to the ER and just have them take it out while fixing the gash.
So anyways, thank you for all of your support- physical, emotional, philosophical, religious, telepathic, etc.
It meant and continues to mean the world to me.
If you want to share my story with anyone, feel free to share. If you would like me to share it with someone, let me know or give them my contact information.
Thank you.
