Personal Journey Entry # 25

When I heard the words “you have esophageal cancer” on January 28, I had a sudden vision of a long battle with an unknown outcome ahead of me. I did not shed tears or be overcome with dread and emotion. I gripped Shay’s hand, looked into her eyes, and felt a calm acceptance overtake me. I remember immediately reaching out to God, giving myself to him, and trusting in his mercy and love. My beliefs and faith that I am in God’s hands have only grown stronger over the last three months. I have trouble using I and me because it should always be we. Shay and I have been joined at the heart as one as we have gone through this odyssey. She has been my rock and has allowed me to go through the consults and procedures with peaceful acceptance. We have also had a formidable team of supporters near and far who have convinced us every day that the only outcome would be remission. Our faith and countless prayers have been answered, and we are close to ringing that bell and praising God for giving us a second act.

How else can you explain going from a devastating diagnosis to potential remission in just three months but chalk it up to Divine intervention? I had excellent doctors and surgeons throughout, and every test and decision from the initial screening fell in our favor. Even the aborted esophagectomy worked out for the best. Dr. Lassaletta worked with Dr. Boston at Beth Israel, and she is one of the few specialists in the region who can perform endoscopy/abrasion procedures. Dr. Boston will perform the final procedures, and if successful, I will be free of cancer when she says goodbye. We had a Zoom meeting with a counselor from the Dempsey Group this week, and she hesitated when talking about my cancer. She could not believe I had been diagnosed just three months ago and was already talking about remission.

I do not want to get too far ahead of ourselves, as we already know how the unexpected can rear its ugly head. I had a wonderful and surprising conversation this morning with Dr. Tony, and I thought for sure he was going to push the chemical treatment, but he threw a fastball, and we are going to let Dr. Boston do her thing. If she is successful, the cancer will be gone. I wish I could have hugged him.

I have said it before, but it is still true. I am the luckiest guy on earth. Can you call it luck when it is God’s work in answer to all of our prayers? Let’s call it His will, and His will be done.

Thanks for stopping by. God Bless you and have a glorious Easter.