Finally Some Good News

Great news! I had my surgical follow-up appointment on Thursday. The surgeon has given me clearance to return to normal duties. A call to my oncologist with this information on Friday resulted in clearance to return to work on September 23rd. I am thrilled to be returning to work and more normalcy. 

In addition to returning to work, the surgeon told me I could start yoga and working out at the gym again. This made me very happy as well. As you know, although I’ve been through plenty of treatments and surgery due to the lymphoma this summer, my back issues remain untreated. I’m excited to start exercising regularly again because in the past heavy exercise has actually helped to lessen the back pain. In addition to helping with my back pain, regular workouts and yoga have, over the past two years, become part of my important daily rituals. Being unable to complete a full yoga practice or go to the gym (too many germs in there for a chemo patient) has been a real struggle. I miss the routine as well as the endorphins those activities provide. Who knew that at 40 something years young, I would become a fitness junky? 😂

There will still be some hurdles to jump in this journey. My oncologist will closely monitor my lymphoma through blood draws every three months. The desired outcome is that the numbers remain stable. If they rise, we will embark on a new journey to figure out treatment. My oncologist at Stanford is fairly confident that it’ll be quite some time before we have to cross that bridge. 

In the meantime, Jim, some friends and I have begun planning some adventures for this coming year. One lesson that’s been reinforced to me this year is that we need to seize life when we have the chance. No more waiting for that illusive “someday” to make an appearance. In deference to this, we are already researching and planning trips and adventures. I’m terribly excited to spend time backpacking in the Sierra next spring and summer and anticipating other travel fun as well. 

As always, I want to close with thanks to all who have kept my family and me in your prayers as well as those who have helped us in ways too innumerable to list here. Thank you for sharing God’s love and grace with us.

Comments

  1. Mary ClementSeptember 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM

    Such good news, Praise God!🙏🙏🙏Prayers answered and prayers for your continual health and joy! My love to you all ❤

    ReplyDelete
  2. Veronica E.September 15, 2019 at 3:08 PM

    I am doing the happy dance right now!!! So thrilled to have my partner back at work and someone to talk to about everyday life...I will continue to pray for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete

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