What's Next

Today I received results from my final PET/CT scan from yesterday.  After 12 long chemo treatments stretching over almost six months I am finally cancer free!!!  It has been a roller coaster learning to adjust to all of the differences in life that cancer brings.  I have learned from the ups and downs the importance of hope.  It has provided an opportunity to be on the receiving end of other people's charity and compassion.  I have never felt so loved than over the last six months.  I still remember the love from the missionaries in Florida who stopped by the hospital Christmas week, the love from family members after returning home, and the great love I felt from everyone who has stopped by to visit or talk (including those who have reached out through social media).  Here are a few highlights from the last six months (to name just a few):

-Mowing/ Edging the Lawn (No better way to remember missionary service, especially because it reminds me of a great Elder's Quorum Pres from St. Aug)
-Seeing returned missionaries (Both when they stop by to visit and the rare occasion I got to see homecoming talks)
-Having great nurses and a wonderful doctor
-Surprise gift bag
-Weekly letters from missionaries and talking with a great mission president (who is coming home soon)
-Monthly family dinners

These are a few of the wonderful blessings I've had in the last several months and now it is on to looking forward to the future.  Sometime in the next couple weeks or so my immune system will be back to normal.  I'll be headed to the University of Utah starting Aug 22 with a major in Biology.  With all of the experiences I have gone through I am even more thrilled to pursue a career as a Radiologist (x-ray doctor).  And to make everything a little sweeter I'll be participating in the New University Scholars program (which re-instates the scholarship I had before I left on my mission).  To see what else is next will come with time.  Not everything is planned out now, but I'm excited for the opportunities the future will provide.  And since this is my final cancer post, here is a picture of me near the beginning of treatments doing my least favorite thing (sucking on ice).

Comments

  1. Barbara and LarryJune 23, 2016 at 6:28 PM

    James, we love you! We are so very happy to hear this news!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jen BayJune 24, 2016 at 8:41 AM

    So so happy for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. MegJune 24, 2016 at 9:00 AM

    Wonderful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JoAnn BayJune 24, 2016 at 2:18 PM

    So grateful is has turned out well. You are a wonderful and strong young man.

    ReplyDelete

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