Another clean scan & return to the ice

~ Bryan (right) & his brother after a hockey game ~

THE LATEST. Just in case you still check this inactive cancer blog, here is the latest update: Bryan remains cancer free as of today's CT scan (which is why this cancer blog remains inactive. I enjoyed this blogging forum during our cancer experience. It kept our friends & family up to date on Bryan's condition and it was also convenient in documenting some of our experiences along the way; but once cancer was over, blogging was also over for me. The story had unfolded and the final chapter had been written. Resigning my blogging post felt like cancer closure, IT was finally complete. I hope that makes sense to those of you taking the time to read this so many months later).

RETURN TO NORMAL? Sometimes I wonder what normal truly is post cancer, but if normal is returning to daily activities, our life is pretty normal. Our kids remain actively involved with school, music, friends & sports (a little or a lot too active if you ask me). This fall Bryan rejoined his brother on a hockey team (last winter is the first time Bryan has missed a hockey season since he was a little boy). They've had a great season with only a few dramatic incidents on Bryan's part (collapsing on the ice due to a wacky heart medicine combination & a few "old man" muscle injuries). I am the official chauffeur, cheerleader and spectator for the five athletes in my family. I thought I resigned, but it didn't stick. They can't seem to play basketball, violin, saxophone, volleyball and/or hockey without me in attendance. Last month I set a personal record of attending 15 games in one weekend. (Anyone care to compete?) Although I enjoy watching them, I am anxiously anticipating the end of our winter sport seasons.

KEEPING UP. I do a better job staying up to date with friends & family on Facebook. It is much easier than blogging. Look for us there if you're a member.

Post Cancer Ski Run

He was a bit rusty--it took him a while to get up and the run wasn't as flashy as it usually is, but we were so happy to see him on the water again. (My sister-in-law's commentary makes the video even better!)

One Year Ago Today

I couldn't let the day pass without pointing out the significance.

June 10th, 2007...Bryan's tumor was discovered (at about the same time I'm typing this post).

Instead of spending time in the ER today, our family commemorated the anniversary by:

• smiling
• laughing
• kicking a soccer ball
• riding a bike (without training wheels)
• listening to Les Mis & David Archuleta music
• blogging about life after cancer (it is better than ever)
• having patience for 'one more question' before bedtime
• indulging important relationships
• starving unimportant emotions

So basically, it was an average day. But make no mistake, no days are average post-cancer. Finding joy in repetitive "dailiness" is one of the many lessons I learned; and as each above-average day passes, my lingering fear is edged out and replaced with more hope. I have also learned that fear is all-consuming, while hope and faith are comforting. I choose hope. Hope for many, many more above-average days.

April 27, 2008 Life is good.... I mean GREAT!

I have talked to a number of people that encouraged me to write a note of progress. As the title states, I feel great.
I have been very blessed with the outcome of my cancer experience. My last doc check-up was on April 17th and all is ok. Blood tests show no sign of cancer cells in my body. I will have a CT scan in three months to check on the tumor.
My family is finally getting back to our normal schedule.... baseball, scoccer, music, homework, playgroups, etc.... and I am part of it! Last summer was very hard for us because I could not participate in our family events.
One of our favorite activities is boating in the summer. My dad was very generous and gave me his old boat and we just love being on the water together as a family. We are excited to spend time at Bear Lake and Lake Powell this summer.
I have learned to appreciated the little things in life more fully. I have also learned that "stuff" happens in life and there is a purpose in each experience. Live in the present, learn from the past, and hope for the future.
I can't seem to get through a post without, again, thanking all the friends, family, neighbors, church leaders, and people we do not know for all their prayers and support over the last 10 months.
Know that I am well (about 85%) and look forward to living.

Bryan

If anyone would like to contact me personally, my email address is bryan.arndt@gmail.com

Clean Bill of Health (aka: the BEST post ever posted on this blog)

Bryan had a scan and blood work on Tuesday. We visited with his doctors yesterday to receive the results of the tests...

EVERYTHING LOOKS FABULOUS! The tumor is non-cancerous (still) & measures smaller than before. (They don't expect the tumor to shrink beyond its current size--the reason it is smaller with this scan is because it is the first scan since the completion of radiation therapy.)

They will monitor Bryan for the next few years--visits with the hematologists every 3 months and a scan every 6 months.

We couldn't be more thrilled with the results!

Bryan has been anticipating this visit for several months (as many of you know). The plan was to officially disband (take off the "Bryan Bands") when we received the news of this scan. So...

It is official.
Take off the yellow bands.
Bryan has beat this cancer!

The trick...

"The trick is not how much pain you feel--but how much joy you feel. Any idiot can feel pain. Life is full of excuses to feel pain, excuses not to live, excuses, excuses." ~Erica Jong

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Bryan is thriving! He is strong and happy (although shoveling the 10+ inches of snow from our front yard on Monday morning proved that he isn't as strong as he thought--thank goodness for neighbors with snowblowers). He is working--traveling quite a bit--and always reports "feeling great!"

Bryan returns to the hospital next week for a scan. We continue to pray for great test results!

No thought spared for cancer in weeks...

It has been dreamy! No doctor appointments, cancer treatments, CT scans, tests, blood draws, trips to the pharmacy OR hospital. Just smiles, laughter, complete joy & relief. I describe the atmosphere at our home as "light;" something we haven't experienced in months (and didn't realize how heavy it was until it felt light).

Bryan's strength is returning (& so is his hair as you can see from the pics). His personality is back for sure! He says he feels GREAT!

As you loyal readers know, Bryan's last scan revealed no sign of cancer (although there are remnants of the tumor, they are NOT cancerous). He returns to the hospital for a CT scan at the end of January. They will monitor (by CT scan) what is left of his tumor every 3 months for a few years. The doctors said the result of Bryan's October scan was GREAT news. At that point, Dr. Glenn gave Bryan a 75% chance of the cancer NOT returning. (I think that is high. Bryan was quick to point out the 25% chance it could return. He said "that's 1 in 4." I prefer to stick with the 75% or 3 out of 4 figures.) Anyway, we BOTH hope for continued good news.

Our life kicks back into high gear in a few days. Bryan returned to work a few weeks ago and will start traveling again soon. The kids will return to school, basketball, soccer and the usual craziness. While in our "cancer" world, we've been sheltered and protected from the "real" world--it will soon come crashing in! I dread and look forward to it at the same time.

As 2007 comes to a close, I want to thank you for your "readership!" I can't imagine what we would have done this year without family and friends. You have been a great support to us! I hope 2008 is fabulous and as a friend said "uneventful" for all of us!