A Big Week

Hi All,
Just checking in. This past week was quite big for me. It was exactly a year ago that I finished up chemo for stage III rectal cancer. Our counties Relay for Life was last Saturday. I was interviewed on the radio and on the front page of the paper sharing my story. My mother is a very talented watercolor artist and donated 70 paintings of which 65 sold!!! (100% donated) The event went well and a lot of money was raised even though it was a small turnout.

I also had my checkup yesterday. All labs came back beautiful. Iron levels are finally in normal range. CEA is a lovely 0.21!!!! The next appointment in September is the big one!!! CT/PET scan for the 2 year mark and if it comes back clear I get the port removed.

One other milestone for me was when I went to my checkup I finally felt like being a cancer patient didn't dictate my life. Last fall I was still having issues with separation anxiety from my doctors as I transitioned from patient back to living a "normal" life. When I saw my oncologist it was nice to see him, but I was most happy to be done and out of there and keep moving forward with my life.

I am taking a road trip by myself next week and going to go visit my college friends over the 4th. I am also going to go stay in my hometown and visit family and friends. I really need this time to reconnect with the "old" me. For a while battling cancer consumed so much of me, I am finally feeling like I am ready to start moving forward with my life, never forgetting what I have been through, but at peace with it.

Kiersten