we're singing a new song now

I officially have word from my dear oncologist that I am NED status! I hadn't been able to see her for a long time, not since before her maternity leave, so I was really waiting to know for sure. But when I saw her before my treatment yesterday she said "Your scans were clear, but I am sure they told you that" and I said "Yes, they did. So I'm officially No Evidence of Disease, right?" and she replied with "Well yes, but you were when your last scan was clear too"

OH.

So here I was waiting on official word and the results from the second PET scan I had back in March (the one that first they thought showed things unchanged but later turned out they HAD changed and they were gone) would've been enough! I didn't know that! I thought it was something I shouldn't just assume! But honestly, hearing those words from my oncologist was sweet enough, even though it was later than the truth of the matter.

I guess the facts are:

1. I became NED in like MARCH

2. I am still!

3. I will have 12 more treatments, once a month, putting the last treatment in December of 2023 (so I will be in treatments until I am 40, sigh)

In not-specifically-cancer news, we had COVID in the house and I magically never tested positive. I got the updated booster in late September, and thank goodness for that. Isaac tested positive on October 16 and had pretty bad symptoms. I tested before, during, and after and magically stayed clear. By now, he's feeling a lot better but has a little bit of a cough hanging on. But I am so, so thankful that I never got it.

I was able to sing for three concerts in October, and on October 28 I ran 10k (this is significant because I've been able to build up my stamina again!!). I got to celebrate my birthday and our 6th anniversary while feeling pretty damn good, and I got to dress up like a dinosaur and hand out candy on Halloween.

All in all, things are going really well and what better month to be extremely thankful for it all than November? Thank you to all my community who have been with me through all of this. I was never alone, and I will always be full of gratitude for you all keeping me company along the way.