Getting Better Everyday - Thanks to Science and Love

Sometimes pictures tell the story better than words. These two pictures encapsulate the cancer story for me. I have been so fortunate to have both the best doctors and the best family and friends - that is why every day I am getting better. Science worked my body over and love lifted me up.

The photo of the many hospital bands tell part of the story - they love to tag people and then scan them like grocery items. These bracelets are only from hospital stays, scans, chemo, and surgeries - and not all of them, I started this weird collection a little late so I'm missing a few. This doesn’t show the many doctors appointments and radiation - too short to tag me. But wow does it show how much work they did to fix me up and why UCHealth has felt like my second home this year.

The photo of the cards also is just a part of the story of the amazing humans in my life. People sent cards, emails, texts, and messenger notes. Family, friends, and people I didn’t know were sending good vibes and prayers my way continuously along with food, flowers, and other gifts, not to mention supporting our Go Fund Me. I am so lucky to have so many people who care about me in my life.

I think both science and love were necessary to get me where I am today. I know that my oncologist and the team she created were the best I could have had and they have used their science tools and knowledge to get that cancer out of my body. But I am not sure without all the love I could have endured the science, because some days it really sucked. A card, email or phone call always seemed to come just when I needed it, to lift my spirits and remind me I could get through the pain or whatever the weird side effect of the day was. All that love got me through the dark days I had when I thought too much about my own mortality.

So thank you all for the love - it has gotten me through this shit show called cancer.

I am not quite where I want to be yet, but everyday I get closer thanks to science and love.