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.