This week has been a long one, but a good one. I had an MRI on Monday and a chest/arm CT yesterday. And praise God, praise God — everything is clear, normal, no signs of anything! My doctors seem very pleased. This is obviously the best news we’ve received since last summer. I’m clear! What a blessing!

It’s odd how a week like this makes you feel. I’ve alluded to the roller coaster ride before. It’s still a roller coaster ride. Tests and doctors and needles, surprisingly, wear you out. By the time you receive the positive reports, you don’t know whether to laugh, cry, get drunk, or have dessert! For me, I’ve laughed a little, cried a little, and had some wine. No dessert yet… 🙂

It truly is a joyous day – to really say I’m cancer-free. I have the gift of my health and my life. As much of a blow as it is to hear the diagnosis of cancer, and the spiral it puts your life in, it’s just as mind-boggling trying to pull yourself out of that. Finding your real life again — it’s a journey.

I guess that’s the point of this blog. Cancer changes you. Your perspective on life changes. It is the “new normal.” I don’t want to take anything for granted. I want to do the work God has intended for me here on earth. It’s time to get to it, and not live every day with the cancer cloud hanging over my head.

The Bible verse I cling to is familiar to many of us: Jeremiah 29:11.
It says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
As wonderful as these words are, I think my favorite verses are 12 and 13, which say: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)

We sought God with all of our hearts and He listened to our prayers. He blessed us immensely from the day of diagnosis through the good news today. The least I can do is take this gift of a new life and do my best for Him. To live the life God intended for me.

I have work to do and I need to get to it…as soon as I finish my celebratory wine! Cheers! 🙂

Keep on truckin’ everyone.