Wahoo!

Three months ago I rode my bike to the University of Washington for my final radiation treatment. Yeah, I know, people that go through cancer treatment don’t typically ride their bikes 15 miles for their last treatment. But I had to go for a bike ride, to feel the sun on my face and listen to the worship music that fed my soul and helped me connect with my creator. Trust me, I connected with Him on this ride. I listened to Praise You in the Storm by Casting Crowns, the song that carried me through some of the most challenging times of my life and the same song that I titled the first chapter of my new book after. My choice to praise Him in the storm brought me peace when nothing else would. And I listened to In Your Presence by Jeremy Camp, the same song that had me weeping like a baby as I waited to hear the extent of my cancer and wrote about it in another chapter of my book. As I rode my bike that day I looked up to see His majestic creation of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier in the distance and I raised my hands to the heavens thanking Him that my cancer was treated and that I was alive. As I biked closer to the UW I heard the final song All Creatures of Our God and King by The David Crowder Band-Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. I’m alive! I’m alive! I’m alive I thought as the tears continued to flow.

I had my final treatment listening to the Pandora radio station that brought me peace over the previous 6 weeks and 29 treatments. Coincidentally, the last song was the first song, Praise You in the Storm. But it wasn’t a coincidence. He orchestrated the perfect song to place the other bookend on my cancer treatment that was now complete.

I exited the radiation room and hugged all the nurses that had lifted my spirits and encouraged me through the journey. Then I emerged in the waiting room to my family waiting for me. I rang the bell and celebrated. I was done with the radiation treatment and my body could begin the slow journey of returning to its normal state.

My body began healing but my emotions needed additional time to heal. I will forever be grateful to Microsoft and the benefits that allowed me to take additional time to heal both physically and emotionally.

Last week I went back to the UW for my 3-month check-up. The CT scan showed no signs of concern. For the first time I saw the area of my tongue that was surgically removed in August along with the tiny cancer tumor. They numbed my nose and throat and stuffed a high definition camera in through my nose to reveal there were no signs of cancer. The only thing it revealed was a swollen epiglottis explaining why I still struggle with swallowing occasionally and why my voice is occasionally different.

I walked back and high fived the nurses letting them know that I had stabilized my weight since my last treatment, thanking them for sternly telling me that I needed to stop losing weight.

And then I walked out the door and drove home to celebrate with my family.

Wahoo! I’m cancer free!!!

Thank you Jesus!

P.S. My new book about my journey with cancer will be available in a few days. You can order a copy below.