My Journey: The Final Post

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Final Post

I met with Dr. Gebara yesterday and finally got the word - I am officially in remission. I still have two more radiation treatments to go, tomorrow and Thursday, then it's off to the Cape for the summer to hang at the beach with our kiddies and forget all about cancer. I was very blessed to have a highly curable form of cancer and to have such good doctors and nurses, both here at BMC and in Boston at Beth Israel. But I am even more blessed to have the family and friends that have been so wonderful to both Nancy and me. I have to start with my lifetime partner, my wife Nancy. Not only did she have the job of taking care of me and doing all the worrying (I'm just no help there), but she had to put up with all my goofy blog jokes at her expense. She handled it all with wonderful grace and humor. And only socked me a few times. And then there's the kids and their spouses and the grandkids, who worried about me even though I didn't want them to and made sure I knew I was never alone. My extended family, sisters and brother and many nieces and nephews and cousins, Nancy's family, and I'll include my old friend Al, was always there too, calling frequently and letting me know I wasn't forgotten. Finally, all the good friends we've made over the years we've been in Lenox, and colleagues at BCC, kept in touch. A lot of you even made the ultimate sacrifice and read my blog! As much as all of you have meant to me, you have also taught me a lesson. I've often wondered, during the last few months, whether I would have been as good if the situation were reversed. Being an introvert, I wonder if I would reach out as so many of you have done for me. I think now I would be much more likely to do so.

When I started this blog I only intended it to be a record of my battle with cancer. I have to say that I mostly enjoyed writing it. It certainly helped me fill the many hours I had free during my chemo at the Cape. But the fight is over, cancer is out cold on the mat, and life goes on, even if the blog doesn't. Tons of love to you all.

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MY ASSISTANTS

This blog, as well as this whole journey, would not be possible without my dedicated and highly capable team of assistants. To wit:

Editor Nancy This lovely young woman is responsible for checking my posts thoroughly for misspellings, syntax errors, omissions, or just plain bad writing. Any complaints should be addressed to her.

Nurse Nancy Though she is not really a nurse, she is always willing to research any problem that arises and to make a diagnosis. She is particularly good at contradicting a doctor's diagnosis if she doesn't like it.

Chef Nancy I'm very lucky to have a personal chef who is expert in a number of different cuisines that I love. In addition to Armenian food, which she learned from my mother, she makes wonderful Italian, Mexican and Indian dishes, as well, of course, as traditional American fare. She is not afraid to try cooking something new, though she always complains about how it came out (in spite of my protestations to the contrary).

Chauffeur Nancy One of the advantages of being sick is that I can kick back and relax on long journeys, while my trusted Chauffeur Nancy does the driving. Also, I get break from being back-seat driven.