I had cancer this morning, but now i don't! It's over and I am all done. I had my last treatment this morning. Phew! It's been kind of a teary day for me. I don't know if it is because I am tired, because I am done, because Andrea left or because I feel like I don't have to be strong for another minute. It is a very happy day, though. I feel so much relief. The top picture is of my machine and the therapists that became my good friends. I will miss them. The next one is lunch today with my friends to celebrate. Thanks, everyone!
Jaymeson and I were talking about the house we want and all the work it will take to update it and I said,"that's ok, we have nothing but time" and that made me cry because time is what I have. It's the greatest gift I've ever been given. Time to watch my kids grow. Time to keep growing myself. This life is short and precious and I'm glad I get more of it. What a blessing.
One thing I like about living in the midwest is watching things grow. There is something soothing and reassuring about it. We have cornfields around us that I love. I hope they never build over them. It reminds us that life goes on and that miracles happen every day. I feel like cancer is like winter. It's cold and nothing grows. It's hard to get through, but I always knew spring was just around the corner. The whole metaphor is reinforced with the timing of my hair coming back. It's spring! Cancer is over and things are growing. Miracles happen every day.
21 comments:
Hearty, robust congratulations to you my friend. I am also very grateful for more Shelby time. Tell me more about the house! Are you still thinking of the one I'm thinking of? Has anyone else put an offer on it? Will we be celebrating your one-year cancer free on a pool deck by a grassy null cascading down to a cool pond?
We're a bit teary too. At the lunch i felt like there should be a speech..someone should say something...but what can be said? No words can tell you how lovely you are and how grateful we are for you. Winter's not my favorite season here because it doesn't snow enough to make it worth the cold. (except for that one fabulous day when we got to skip church...and play and stay in our pajamas...ha ha ...) But, I've found beauty nonetheless... like the sunsets are richer and set off by the stark trees..the outlines seem painted there... And, during your winter, (our winter) there's been much beauty and grace...and humor...and richness. I told Oprah how wonderful you are so don't be surprised if she calls! ;0) Here's to a winter full of moments never to be forgotten. Love you! Karen
I love you and I miss you. I need a night of staying up late and talking with you. I'm so happy for you. And for us.
And I love that picture of you and your friends because Amy Cima makes me laugh and one of those ladies watched your kids so we could go shopping! I love people. Everyone out there is so nice.
Congratulations Shelby and everyone else! Miracles do happen everyday and we haven't had a day go by that you weren't in our prayers. I'm thinking keeping it up out of habit--nothing like vain repetitions.
I like the thought that praying for you to get through this and overcome the cancer would be in vain now since the Lord, capable doctors, many selfless volunteers, family, and friends have taken care of that.
We'll still keep you in our prayers, though, since I know it will be several more weeks before your energy returns and a while after that before things are back to normal (a new normal). Mostly our prayers will be prayers of gratitude, though. What a blessing you have been to all of us.
YAY!!!!!! I am so happy for you. You're such a delight! I can't wait to watch you on Oprah!
I thought there should be a speech too. I started crying just thinking about what I would say so I chickened out, but I should've asked someone else to do it. Anyway, as always you are surrounded by so many who adore you. You are a blessing in all our lives and we are sooooo grateful that this is over and that you have more time. We'll never take that for granted again.
OK, I have never posted a comment on your blog before. Mostly because I am very shy and don't have much to say :-) But I did want to take this last opportunity (since the cancer is gone and we will never have to speak of it again) to tell you that I am proud of you and love you dearly. You are "kind of a big deal" to me and you're like the 6th sister I never had! Congrats on kicking cancer's butt and I look forward to my many healthy Shelby days ahead. Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, I wanted to let the wards know that you are a truly inspiring group of people. Shelby does not know of the many, many calls I personally received on her behalf of people wanting to help and know how she was doing. You all pitched in when it mattered and am touched by the kindness I have seen. Thank you, thank you! And Katie, you should be laughing at me. I am a huge dork. I miss you so come back to visit soon (you too Melanie!)
Happy first full No-Cancer Day!
Amy
Congrats Shleby! We are so happy for you, you are awesome!
Yay Shelby!! I'm so so happy for you!
Shelby, you have such a way to put your thoughts and feelings in words. Thanks for keeping this blog. I think about you every single day! LOVE TO YOU!
My dear sweet sister. I love you. I am so glad that this "winter" has come to an end and that spring is coming! Thank you for your inspiration and for making me fall on my knees the way I have needed to for a long time. Thank you for everything. I love you so so much.
And you too Amy - when are you coming to visit me? Do I have to get cancer? Because you know in my family . . .I will. It's just a matter of time!
Thank you so much Amy for organizing ALL that you did and for helping Shelby soo much. I don't know what she would have done with out you. You ALL out there are amazing and this whole thing made me love the Relief Society even more and made me so grateful to be a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Not only for the miracles, priesthood blessings and the faith but for an organization that teaches us all charity and helps us become better people by learning how to bare one another's burdens, forget ourselves and serve others. Yahoo.
Oh Shelby,
You don't know me, but my heart is overflowing reading this news! Melanie is in my Stake and as I have heard her speak over the years I've always thought she was my long lost twin, and now learning of you, who knew there were triplets!! Well....when she spoke at our Young Women In Excellence in November and shared a story about you....we were all so touched. I must say, I am going to have to have a little chat with Heavenly Father oneday about truly giving out the talents, testimony, wit, charm, perserverance, personality, positive outlook and beauty ALL IN ONE FAMILY! Now that I have been spying regularly on your life here, I have to tell you that I walk away a better person every single time I read what you and others write. I love that you have me crying one second and then bustin' a rib laughing the next! I know you have touched soooo many people. I even have people come up to me asking how I know you (as I put a link from my blog to this one of yours). They tell me how hooked on your blog they are! I know there are probably hundreds, if not thousands, reading about you and being lifted by you and just not commenting, but please know that you are truly a hero to all of us. I hope I would handle this even a portion as positively and as bravely as you have. You and your family are truly amazing, as well as your friends. I too, like one of the women above, can't wait to see you on Oprah!! You are awe-inspiring Shelby! (AND....I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics of your girls cutting your hair! Even in those, you are a model!) Thank you for being such a perfect example.
Amazing! You are amazing. I have never felt such heartache and joy for someone I have never met. Although, knowing Melanie proves that beauty and grace are all in the family!
I think the true miracle of your story is how you came through one of the most difficult trials on this earth with such courage, humor, and gratitude for all of your blessings. You will probably never know the full effect your story has had on "random readers" like myself......amazing.
Congratulations Shelby. You really are an amazing person. Your attitude has been so incredible through this experience. You can say your tired for the next ten years...you've earned it. You've touched countless lives with your story and you have shown faith beyond measure. You really are an amazing woman and I am so glad you are done suffering from this cancer. Thank you for being such a wonderful example.
Congratulations on beating cancer, Shelby. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with the blog, otherwise I wouldn't know a thing. You go girl!
Shelby congratulations on being Cancer free! I have been amazed by your growth and insights thorughout this process. I'm Jaymee's cousin and we've never met (I live in WA) but I feel like I know you so well. Thank you for sharing all the ups and downs with us. We love you and rejoice in your victory!
Scott and I are so happy for you Shelby. Man, what a journey your family has been on. You are a true example of enduring with faith (and humor). It's also been awesome to read about all the people that have been there for you. I love this church. I pray that cancer will never again visit your family (that includes all the prices). No more talk of getting cancer Mel. Thank you so much for keeping this blog going through your tough times. You have inspired me.
Don't stop this blog,Shelby, at least not for a while. Even though winter is over, there may still be a few cold days or snow flourishes and you have so many friends who want to encourage you through it. As you said earlier, sometimes the hardest part of this healing process is getting back to normal and reality. It is so wonderful to be through the worst of it and know you have had the faith and tenacity to be such an example to more people than you will ever know. Besides we want to see what you look like with inch long hair!
Shelby- congratulations. I don't have any eloquent or inspiring word, but I'm glad you and your friends are and were full of them through this. You are amazing. I'm grateful I had the chance to pray along with you and everyone else. Can we please see each otehr soon?
Shelby - It's been a long time and I want you to know I've been thinking of you and your family and praying for you. I hadn't checked your blog in a long time and I am so happy to hear you are better! WOW! We moved about a month before you were diagnosed and I wish I could have somehow helped but it looked like you had a lot of love and support through it all. Best wishes to you and your sweet family! We miss you all out there and are enjoying Salt Lake. Take care! -Rachael Drake
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