Survivor Man

Yesterday was a very emotional day. I was driving home from San Diego when Eric called to tell me that he had part of the results of his bone marrow biospy - NO SIGNS OF LYMPHOMA!!! His sample is still being tested further, but the initial histological report indicates that Eric is CANCER FREE. We are so happy and so relieved to have this news. For so many months we have tried our best to be positive and look to the future with hope and optimism, but now we feel certain that all will be well.

The icing on the cake yesterday was that I was registered to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. In the opening ceremony, they have survivors wear purple shirts and walk a lap as people cheer for them. When I asked Eric months ago if he wanted to be part of that lap, he told me no. But yesterday I was able to convince him to join the survivors and together as a family we walked the victory lap. I was so proud to see him in that purple shirt and had to fight back tears the whole time.
He stayed with me for a couple hours and then left to take the kids home to bed while I walked laps most of the night in symbolism of the endless fight against cancer. I raised $815 towards cancer research, way over my goal of $100. Thank you to everyone who supported me!
I was part of a team of women who all had loved ones who had suffered with cancer. Our team was called A League of Their Own (the ACS theme this year was movies), thus the baseball jersey like shirts. We had a great time walking together and sharing our experiences with cancer.
There was also a Illuminari ceremony to recognize the lives claimed by cancer. White bags lit by candles lined the track that we walked. I made one for my grandmother who is currently suffering from lung cancer. She is not going through chemotherapy and we know that she does not have much more time.

So when my legs were tired of walking, I thought of her struggles. I thought of Eric and the pain he endured for 8 long months. I thought of Eric's cousin Kelsey, who at the young age of 21 was just diagnosed with testicular cancer. I thought of my uncle Chuck who is waiting to hear if his prostate cancer is in remission. And I prayed that the money raised yesterday would go towards the creation of many more miracle drugs, like the drugs that made my husband a Survivor Man.