Good to the last drop

"Graduation" photo (from left): Nurse Elizabeth, ME with my hands on Nurse Charlie's shoulders and Prince Jared behind me, Dr. Karen Fink, and Nurse Practitioner Vanessa

My last drop of chemotherapy was delivered two weeks ago. This week's MRI looked great.

After two years of chemotherapy I have officially graduated from treatment and will now just be monitored. My veins get a break for a while. I don't have to worry about the chemotherapy causing stroke. I get to pull my daughter out of preschool and spend more time with her instead of constantly shuttling to office visits and labs. It's a great milestone.

I didn't bring a mortarboard cap (didn't want to presume before I heard the news) but we did take a group "graduation" photo at Dr. Fink's office. They congratulated me and very kindly DID NOT sing the "na na na na -- hey hey hey -- GOOD BYE" song. (I do get to come back -- just for monitoring.)

Today give a prayer of thanks. I called my neurologist, who prayed over the phone with me as we gave thanks to the One who has heard and answered many prayers on my behalf. I also have to thank all of you who have offered those prayers time and time again. And thanks to Dr. Fink, Vanessa, Charlie, Stephanie, Elizabeth, Ellen, Pam-the-MRI-Technician, all the people I'm forgetting to name, and the makers of Avastin and Carboplatin. And I'd go on, but the Oscar theme music would start playing and someone in a cocktail dress would take me by the arm and lead me away.

I STILL NEED PRAYERS!!! I'm sure the next MRI will be another nervous one, because it will be after my first "solo" flight. I'll probably be extra worried any time I forget where I put my keys, so it helps to feel that "floating on prayer" feeling.

As my doctor said when I began maintenance treatment six months ago, this tumor is "nicely put to sleep". Earlier today my kids were listening to Laurie Berkner sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," so in the back of (what's left of) my mind I keep hearing music:

In the jungle

My mind's own jungle

The tumor sleeps tonight

In the jungle

My mind's own jungle

The tumor sleeps tonight

(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh...)

Near the good cells

The good gli-al cells

The tumor sleeps tonight

Near the good cells

The good gli-al cells

The tumor sleeps tonight

(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh...)

Hush, my darling

Don't fear my darling

The tumor sleeps tonight

Hush, my darling

Don't fear my darling

The tumor sleeps tonight

(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh...)

(ChEEE-ee-ee-ee-ee-MO-um-A-WAY!)