Admittedly,
my cancer journey has been a walk in the park compared to what so many other
people go through. Despite that, it
cannot be denied that cancer opens doors.
Cancer opens people to conversations, to sharing. Even though the club you’re part of is The
Suckiest Club Ever, you’re still part of a group of people with shared
experiences, people you can talk to who understand, people that can emphasize
instead if sympathize.
Recently I
became Facebook friends with a coworker.
Today we were on the elevator together, and he mentioned my recent “good
news” post, and we shared a solid fist bump (okay, less than solid, because I
was holding an apple in one hand and a notebook in another, but I never turn
down a good fist bump). Cancer opens the
door. Enter the shared experience. Suddenly I was introduced to one of the many
sides of this person that I might never have experienced, were it not for
Cancer. And despite the evil that is
Cancer, I felt blessed the rest of my day; blessed by the shortest conversation
with this person.
I’ve had
similar experiences with others. Others
at work, others out in the world.
Despite the horror and fear that can accompany cancer, there are silver
linings as well, and often these linings are others sharing the experience.
(For those
wondering about the “good news”, I learned this last week that just 23 months
after first learning that I have leukemia, I am in molecular remission – less than
0.001% detection (“undetectable”) in my blood.
As long as my numbers continue to stay low / near undetectable, I will
be able to avoid bone marrow biopsies (at least for a while!). I’ll continue to take the Sprycel to continue
to fight the CML. Here’s to amazing
drugs, amazing doctors, amazing scientists!)
I know that
it’s been a long time since I posted a blog.
I’ve struggled with words; there is so much to tell that it became
stopped up inside me and today the cork was freed by one fist bump. I never know what will open my heart again to
sharing with others, but I’m always glad when it does!
I want to
share also that Adam, the girls, and I, along with my dear friend Amy, will be
walking the LLS Light the Night walk on October 1, 2015, in Denver. The walk is intended to raise money for the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Much
like other organizations that raise money, the money goes towards research and a
host of other things so that people like myself can experience the freedom from
the fear of cancer that comes with amazing drugs, financial support, or other
means. Were it not for the scientists
who first discovered the gene mutation that causes 95% of CML cases, and then
the scientists who developed the drugs known as TK inhibitors that help find my
CML, my life would have a much different outlook than it currently does
now. Hardly a day goes by that I do not
think of this and remember how blessed I am.
I look forward to the day that I can share this miracle with our
daughters. Even though they may not
understand the concept of cancer, the girls walked last year and will walk
again this year. During the walk we
discuss the different people there (survivors, in support of, and in memory
of). This year we have a goal to raise
$10,000 for LLS through the walk. If you
feel compelled to donate, you can do so through our website here: http://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/DenverL15/UnicornsUnite.
Thank you
for continuing to read the blog, for the love, for the support.
Erin
