Celebrating!

Well, there's not a whole lot more to say tonight other than we are celebrating! It seems almost surreal that Leslie is finished with chemotherapy. But it is a good surreal!

Tonight, Leslie's family joined us at Outback for a celebratory meal together. We had a great waiter who brought Leslie a huge piece of chocolate cake to congratulate her when he found out why we were there. Here is a quick video of the festivities:



When we got home, McGrooter asked Leslie, "So does this mean you are finished with cancer?" We both laughed, and exclaimed, "we hope so!"

We know we're not really finished with cancer, but it seems like we may be through the worst of it. Today was just 3 days short of 9 months since Leslie was first diagnosed, and boy what a 9 months it has been!

Most of all, I am thankful for Leslie. I am thankful that she will not have to continue to suffer like this, week after week. I'm thankful that now she will begin to regain her strength and maybe start to move toward feeling "normal" again. I am also thankful for the kids. On Saturday night, when I had to go to the store to help Leslie, McGrooter said to me as we were leaving and getting in the truck, "Dad, I'm thankful you and mom don't both have cancer." The kids often help me gain a fresh perspective.

I am also thankful for family and friends. Leslie's family and my own have been a huge help. Her parents have been especially helpful in many ways, but I have to say that her Dad, Mike, has been a real source of strength to me in his example and his words. I have grown to love and appreciate him in a whole new way.

I am thankful for my mom, who has come up on several occasions to stay with Leslie and the kids while I was away.

Today, it was especially meaningful to me as I shared the news with my co-workers, to receive so many notes and words of encouragement throughout the day.

Please continue to pray for Leslie, that she will recover quickly. In four weeks she will return to the oncologist to have further tests done, and our faith will really be tested during this time. And I guess it will be like this for a while, as we will continually be anxious to receive good news from tests in the months and maybe years to come.