Two Year Anniversary

Today is August 20, 2012.  It is a big day in our household.  Our son, Ewan, started kindergarten today.

Ewan's first day of kindergarten!

Today is also exactly two years after I learned that I had cancer.  Two years ago today on Friday, August 20 2010, I met with Dr. Suddesh (a surgeon and specialist in orbital and ocular "abnormalities") who told me that I most likely had non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  I remember, sitting alone in his office, crying, terrified about what was to come.  I remember at that moment, thinking that that was the very worst day of my entire life.  We scheduled my surgical biopsy for the following Monday, which did indeed confirm what he suspected.

Here I sit, two years later, reflecting on how much has changed.  I can't even begin to express the joy, relief, and gratitude for the journey I have taken over these past two years.  I look at what has happened, and what I have accomplished in this time, and I feel incredibly blessed.

Blessed to have successfully treated my cancer with an unbelievable "miracle drug" called Rituxan, which literally melted my tumors away while minimally impacting my life.

Blessed to return to my wonderful teaching job after four months of medical leave, and continuing to work with incredible teachers, students, and families.

Blessed to have had a health wake-up call which made me realize that though I can't control cancer, I can control how I take care of my body.

Blessed to have found a passion for healthy eating and fitness/weight lifting which has resulted in the loss of 40 pounds, and a discovery of muscles I never knew existed!  I feel absolutely amazing, and I am in the best shape of my life, as I approach my 39th birthday.

Blessed to have had the energy and health to train for and successfully run the Nike Women's Half Marathon last October in San Francisco.

Blessed to have become involved once again, with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, to come full circle and give back to raise over $17,000 for this remarkable charity that contributed significantly to the research of "my" miracle drug, Rituxan, and continues to search for a cure everyday.

Blessed to have had the opportunity to travel, and vacation with my family visiting five different foreign countries.

Blessed to spend time with family and friends, and gain the appreciation that life is a precious gift that we have to make the most of every single day.

Blessed to have learned that there is always a bright side, and that each and every one of us has a choice to find the positive in any situation.  Life is what we make of it.

I had my regularly scheduled, six-month MRI last Friday night, and I had another, regularly scheduled (every 12 weeks) infusion on Saturday.  I meet with Dr. Suddesh for my regular follow up this Friday afternoon, and then I meet with my oncologist, Dr. Vempaty next Wednesday.  These appointments always bring me some degree of trepidation, but I know in my heart that everything is going to be just fine.  I do, however, really appreciate the continued thoughts, good vibes and prayers from my loved ones, as these are powerful beyond measure.

Thank you to all of you who have been there for me on this amazing journey!  Life is so good!