10/11/23

Big news day today.  I would've written sooner, but we were camping in Oklahoma the past week.  No TV, no internet.  It was divine.  We rode our bicycles, fished, had a campfire every evening, etc.  But, we're home now and back to reality.  One downside to our trip - we had a blowout on the RV heading up there.  Nowhere other than the shoulder to pull off.  Of course, it was on the driver's side.  Traffic whizzing by.  Hot. We were drenched in sweat and greasy by the time we finished.  Had to take the bikes off the back of the rig to get to the spare, change the tire, then put them back on.  We diverted to Sulfur Springs and had 4 new tires put on.  That ordeal added 3 hours to our trip so we were beat by the time we got there and then we had to find our spot and set up.  

However, I'm still on a high.  I got a phone call from my oncologist while we were up there.  My ctDNA test came back negative!  That means I'm officially in remission!  I started crying while smiling and laughing - all at the same time.  David was outside and I was inside the rig when the call came in.  I must have looked a mess when I went out to tell him.  I grabbed him for a hug and he thought someone must have died or something.  It took a moment to tell him it was wonderful news, and boy, was he relieved!  I smiled all day - and for the next 3 days.  I just couldn't stop.  I texted a mess of folks, but sometimes my phone wouldn't work.  I have since learned that this test is only for my original cancer.  It won't detect any other kinds, but still.... I'm so excited!  They will repeat the test every 3-6 months.  And, of course, she reminded me - again, that my immune system is still in the toilet and infection is my biggest concern.  Yada, yada, yada.  I get it.

On another note, there is a country song that talks about this guy getting a new girlfriend.  It's really funny and we just recently heard it again.  David thought the part the girlfriend calls him 'Buttercup', was neat and asked me why I never called him that.  I said I have my own name for you, the same as you do for me.  Well, apparently that's not good enough anymore and he likes 'Buttercup'.  Except he can't seem to remember it....  Last night he called me 'Butterball'.  Yes, that's correct.  It didn't go over as well as he'd hoped.  He tried to save himself after I told him I wasn't a turkey and that wasn't a very flattering term.  He then called me 'Butter Bean'.  Yeah, no.  Not impressed.  I'm hoping he gives up on the new nickname idea.  Quickly.  If we descend to 'Butter Butt', I'm gonna whack him.

So, people, 3 years ago, I found my tumor and the war began.  They removed 43 lymph nodes and I had a segmental mastectomy.  Now, I'm in remission!  This truly has been an epic adventure, to say the least.  I want to sincerely thank everyone for your prayers during this whole ordeal.  I've already thanked God.  Several times over.  I go for another retina exam (my last one, I hope) in Rockwall tomorrow and will see my regular eye doctor in 2 weeks to see about scheduling my next laser procedure so I can get my vision back!  I have a colonoscopy next Thursday and I'm SO looking forward to it!  Ugh.  I'm ready to take a 'doctor break'.  And, yes, I'm still smiling.