On Five Years Cancer-Free

I kept a very detailed journal during the years 2000 and 2001. It wasn’t everyday stuff. It was my cancer journal. It eventually grew to over 11,000 words. Here’s a bit of the entry for Thursday, November 8, 2001.

I had two doctor’s appointments this week. The first, and more important, was Monday. I went to see Dr. Tak. I was only there a few minutes. He discharged me. He used the word “cured” and I asked him about that. He said that we couldn’t exactly say that but that I was in “very good shape.”

I was released from treatment. I didn’t have cancer anymore. God had chosen to spare my life at that time. Obviously there is a reason.

I went through a lot of conflicting emotions during that period. I had to deal with how to tell my kids I had cancer (they handled it beautifully). My grandson William shared my cancer with me, pretending to take pills with me and telling whoever was listening, “Doc got ancer. I got ancer, too.”

Sandra was a rock. She was the one facing the possibility of widowhood. She went to every appointment. She drove me around when I needed it. She helped with every decision along the way.

One night Sandra and I were watching television and there was somebody on one of the shows who was admitted to a hospital with all kinds of problems. I said (according to my journal), “That guy’s in a lot worse shape than me.” Sandra said what are you talking about. My reply, “He’s got diabetes, heart problems and burns on 60 percent of his body. I only have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and prostate cancer.” She laughed heartily and said, “I almost envy you.”

Yesterday, I went to see my doctor. He checked me thoroughly (and I do mean thoroughly). I’m in good shape. I lost a bunch of weight (intentionally) this year. My blood pressure’s down. I still have to get some blood tests, but I expect them to look pretty good, too.

It has been five years. God beat my cancer. I’d better not waste the time He has given me.