I guess I would not use the word, "pristine" to describe medical imaging, but that is how Dr. V described my scans from this past week, so we'll call them pristine.
These scans mark the end of my 2018 treatment, and ideally the end of my melanoma treatment for good! I will still continue with scans and doctor visits (both oncology and melanoma clinic) every 4 months through mid-2019 and then will move to every 6 months. For now, I will continue to watch for any potential side-effects from the immunotherapy, which could still occur in the next few months. I will also be careful with sun protection and watch for skin abnormalities.
Yay for back to normal life. I'll end with these verses from Psalms that have been an encouragement to me. I know it's talking about physical enemies, but after all the ugliness that cancer has caused in my life and in the lives of those I love, I consider it a pretty nasty enemy. However, my God is bigger than cancer, and these verses remind me of how awesome He is: My Shield, My Sustainer, My Salvation!
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.
~Psalm 3 (NASB)
Thank you again for faithfully praying us through this. Hopefully, no news is good news until March 2019.
