All I Want for Christmas!!!

It was 8 months ago when we heard some devastating news: My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Worse, it was pancreatic cancer. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is 5-8 months. Months not years. Only 20% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live longer than one year.

Just a few weeks later, instead of coming up to New York to help us with our move, my mom was in surgery for over 10 hours while the doctors removed part of her pancreas and essentially rewired her intestinal system. I’ll never forget those hours sitting with my dad …… waiting and waiting. Then shortly after that the treatments began: Chemotherapy and radiation. I can’t imagine what it’s been like to walk in my mother’s shoes these past few months: The recovery, the treatments, fighting the fears that come with all of this.

My mom went for her checkup yesterday. All the scans looked normal, the doctor was encouraging, everything looked good. Only one thing was missing: The results of her blood-work was not in yet. She would have to wait one more day for that most critical report.

Christmas came early this year for me. Today we heard the most glorious news. All reports show that my mom is cancer free. Thank you God! I don’t know what tomorrow will bring but I know this: God answers prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you God!!!

That’s all I want for Christmas!