Crossing the finish line .......

Standing at the starting gates over a year ago, today seemed like such an impossible accomplishment. Like everything Andrew has tackled in his life, cancer was just another obstacles to overcome.... and in grand style, I am happy to report that he has done it!!!! Today is the last day. No more chemo, radiation, injections, weekly blood tests, doctors appointments, hospital visits, infusion center visits, hydration .... he is now trading all of this in to study for the bar and enjoy the rest of his life!!!

But like every milestone in life, it comes with its bittersweet moments as well. We will miss our time with the wonderful nurses at the Reston Infusion Center who so kindly had a heartfelt card and muffins ready for Andrew when he arrived this morning celebrating his release from treatment. Their loving care, kindness and attentiveness to Andrew while he was a patient in their care is something that cannot be matched. We will forever be grateful for their friendship during this time in our lives.

We will also miss our weekly visits with Dr. Felice, Emily, Donna and Mike .... however they may not miss all of our phone calls and questions!!!

Andrew and I would also like to report that he had a scan last Friday and after speaking with the doctor we have learned that there is no sign of cancer, just a little inflammation, probably from the radiation, but we will be consulting with a doctor next week to make sure that there is nothing we can do to help the inflammation decrease. But the important thing is that the CANCER IS GONE!!!!!

And even though Andrew has been waiting for this day for a very very long time, he also has a bit of concern in his voice today too. After today it is up to his body to keep the cancer from coming back. No more chemo and radiation to aid him in the fight against any cancer from reoccurring and with good reason, he is worried. But I'm sure the further and further he gets from today, the better his nerves will get and the stronger and stronger he will become. Getting back to normal, regrowing hair, working out and maintaining a normal routine will help him as well.

So as I sign off on what is one of the most exciting days of our life, we are excited for what's next .... after the bar exam of course (b/c of course all of you know, I have a little bear on my hands right now ... GGGRRRRR)!!!! And we thank all of you for everything!!!

..... is Andrew, CANCER FREE ...... and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!

My week in 3 words ..Good Morning America

Dear All, Please watch Good Morning America on Saturday morning at the end of the broadcast to see if Andrew makes the cut and his video is chosen for "My Week in 3 Words." Below is the video that I submitted for GMA!!!

A look back and the journey ahead ...

Through this experience we've realized a lot about ourselves inside and out. That the outward appearance of someone doesn't explain what's happening on on the inside .... and vice versa. I'm continually impressed with Andrew and his own bodies recovery mechanisms. Andrew has yet to be hospitalized for infection, fever or for a blood transfusion. His body has taken the chemo and radiation so well that even his own doctor is questioning his many years of training and experience. Though Andrew and I would like to take all of the credit for his multiracial recovery from each and every treatment, we cannot help but thank the many many people who continued to send cards, emails, facebook messages, flowers, phone calls and of course your everlasting thoughts and prayers.

As we enter the last week before his final chemo treatment on June 21, it's hard to believe that one year has pasted since finding out about his dreaded disease. The emotional ups and downs, continual doctors visits and hospital stays could not have been tolerated without the help and support of our friends and family who stepped up to the plate without hesitation.... and for that we are forever great full.

Until recently I had not fully realized the effect that the blog and my entries had on our friends and family who read them. I promise to continue to keep the blog going even after the treatments have ended. After the treatment, Andrew will continue to have monthly chest X-rays for a year and MRI's every 3-months for 3 years and then every 6-months after that for 2 more years. At the 5-year mark, the follow-up will move to just once a year. We look forward to the 5-year mark and what may come .....

As for Andrew, he is continuing to study for the bar exam and Winston and I try to stay out of the way. 63 rounds of chemo and 33 sessions of radiation never set his nerves in such a frenzy as does the rigor of studying law. And to make matters worse (for me) he will begin his time off from work on July 5 until the bar exam on July 27 and 28 ..... in case you are counting (like me) that's 3 weeks, 24 hours a day 7 days a week .... with Andrew in the house..... it makes treatment look like a cake walk. But like everything, we will make it through with flying colors and ease. And at least at the end we can look forward to a much needed vacation in Bermuda in August. Andrew also looks forward to getting back into shape and ready for football and wedding season for us in the fall.

Through it all, we have always tried to look to the future and live in the moment. If we have learned anything about this year, we have taken it from it that life is about enjoying what you have and not waiting until tomorrow to do what you can today.... and we can't wait to see what we do!!!

"When it comes to the future there are three kinds of people;those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened." John M. Richardson, Jr.

And then there was one!!

Never in my right mind did I ever think that I would be able to say that Andrew has only ONE more chemo treatment left on June 21st. He just completed a treatment today and is already in bed recovering from his long day. But with that said, he is still feeling pretty good all things considered. I think what is getting him through right now is that his birthday gift is arriving next week ... that's right, I broke down and bought him an IPad. I have no idea what they really do, but his smile from ear to ear gave me the distinct impression that he will know exactly what to do with it when it arrives next week. (The picture is from his birthday last Wednesday. I made him a birthday smoothy with a candle.)

With life beginning to return to normal, so are the activities that we are starting in incorporate back into our lives. This past weekend, we had a wonderful time 'summering' at Lynn and Pete's house in Uniontown. Pete recently sprung for a new addition to the house, a hot tub for 8!!! You know you're a redneck, when you buy a hot tub and set it up at the end of your driveway so that its easy to remove when you are done with it. I mean how many people can say that they can back their car up to their hot tub and tailgate at the same time they are relaxing in their 'pool.' Which brings me to .... you know you're a red neck when you call it a 'pool' .... dad!!!! But it was a wonderful and relaxing visit full of family, friends and Freddie and Muts too!!!

Andrew and I are also very excited to report that we have planned a much needed vacation in August, after the bar and chemo to Bermuda!!! I myself have already packed and printed our boarding passes ... warm weather and pink sand ... and little drinks with umbrellas, here we come!!! And Winston will be going on a little vaca too to Nana and Pap Pap Bozick's house for the week ... he loves it there!!! Full of shitting up Nana's new living room furniture and pooping all over Pap Pap's lawn so that he steps in it on his morning walks (most things Winston do have to do with shit or poop!!! haha) ... it is sure to be a fun week had by all!!!

With 62 chemo treatments now under his belt, Andrew is of course ready for his to all be over but we just take each day as it comes. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other. June is a month I never thought would come .... and here it is. We cannot wait for everything to be over. Andrew will be having one more MRI at the end of June and then his first base-line scan in August after we return from our vacation. But between now and then, Andrew must complete the rest of his chemo and hydration treatments and study for and take the bar ... so you know, nothing big!! Just kidding. Remember to keep him in your thoughts as he continues to do well with treatment and now that he passes the bar.

One is the loneliest number .... but the only one better is zero!!!