Cancer Free

Our understanding for weeks had been that radiation was the next step in my treatment. The ENT doctor had told us as much, and had spent several minutes describing how nasty it can be. So we got ready - eating with the goal of fattening me up, going to the dentist to establish a baseline against which we could assess any dental damage caused, designing the perfect smoothie menu and on and on...

So, we were ready. Bring on radiation! Let's get this done.

On Friday we met with the radiation oncologist. He saw things differently,

"Surgery has cured you. Radiation would be over-treatment."

This took a minute to sink in.

"But the ENT said... Have you discussed this at tumor board? What happens if it comes back? What would happen if we did radiation therapy anyway?'

He was patient, answering our questions and walking us through a diagram of the latest national guidelines. The guidelines couldn't have been clearer, I was in the "no further treatment" category.

He said two different things that finally got through. The first,

"We could still do radiation, but why would you want to?"

and the kicker,

"If it were me, I would not do radiation."

If a radiation oncologist, a person whose job it is to do radiation therapy, a person responsible for eliminating cancer from your body using radiation, says either of those phrases to you, I strongly recommend that you listen.

That sealed the deal. Marissa got teary-eyed and I laughed out loud, feeling out-of-body yet again but this time because I was being told I no longer have cancer.

We practically danced our way out of the office, saying to the very nice staff there, "well, I guess we won't be seeing you again..."

Now all we have to do is finish healing from surgery, which will take a few more months and a small variety of treatments. I start back at work next week. We're making holiday travel plans. A happy new normal can now begin to take shape.

I will post in this blog at least a few more times. There are still stories I haven't told, about the surgery experience, my time in the hospital, our encounter with the sexiest emergency room in the United States, things like that.

And finally, we will be doing our best to say thank you to everyone who helped along the way, though I think it will be impossible to do so adequately. The notes, the calls, the gifts, the prayers, each and every thing, big and small, had a positive impact. I know for a fact that the love and positive energy from family, friends, friends of friends, doctors, nurses, medical staff and even some complete strangers not only helped me heal, but helped both Marissa and me face this trial with strength and calm.

All I can say, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart and to the universe in general, is

THANK YOU!