Among the special moments in your life you’ll never forget, the time your oncologist says “There is no visible sign of the cancer …” has to be very high on your list!
After two years and two months, 4 surgeries, 11 months with an ileostomy, 10 rounds of radiation, and 30 rounds of chemo, I heard those words today from my oncologist, Dr. Chloe Atreya, at UCSF Cancer Center in San Francisco. I will now move off my ‘maintenance chemo’ program on to a ‘monitoring schedule’ which involves a break in chemo, another scan in 2 months, and some occasional maintenance of my chemo chest port. This is beyond the best possible outcome I imagined.
As I explained to a few of you recently, I was thinking of this juncture in my treatments like the old game show ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ with 3 doors in front of me …
Door 1: A trip to Survivor-Land and regular follow-up scans.
Door 2: An extended stay in Maintenance-Chemo-Land.
Door 3: Insert sound of sad car horn here … This is the door nobody wants!
I was ready for any and all outcomes. And, I expected I’d be down the middle with Door 2. So, we are simply over the moon here at the Crafts’ house tonite!
We know all of you have been pulling for us with every form of positive mojo you’ve got across the extended Team Crafty. We cannot thank you enough for all the calls, cards, prayers, messages, white lights, positive vibes and good health rain dances you’ve been sending and doing on our behalf. They work! And, I stand by my claim that the power of your family and friends is just as powerful as anything running through an infusion line. I am living proof. You carry us when we need it most and we are forever grateful.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
KEEP ROLLIN’ !!!!!!!!!
Crafty
P.S. My good friend Steve McGill asked me what was going through my mind as I exited UCSF Cancer Center today. I didn’t skip a beat. I told him I was thinking of the many people passing me who were going in. Be grateful for your health – that could be any of us. Please also take a few minutes this holiday season to support the cancer fighters close to you and support a cancer research cause like Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation. We need more breakthroughs like the ones that have put me in such a good position. And the current club of 15.5 million cancer survivors across the U.S. needs to be much, much bigger!
Best Christmas present ever!!! Mark, you amaze me with your positivity!
The picture of all of you is pure joy and love ❤️
Love and continued prayers to all of you!
Diana
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What amazing news Mark!!!!!
Can’t wait to celebrate Sunday!
This just made my day, no scratch that, it made my year. So happy for you and your loved ones Mark!
Hello from. freezing cold and smoggy Seoul. This message landed in my inbox on my birthday so I will always remember this incredibly great news.
Keep fighting!
Love and miss all the Crafty family.
Beautiful card – beautiful family – beautiful news!!!!!!!!!!
Great news! You are an inspiration!
Wow, is all I can say. That, and I love you so very much! Oxo m
Amazing, Mark. Very happy for you and your family.
Hi Mark – If I could still dance and there was no snow on the ground, I would have gone out and danced in the street, when I read the good news. Though the spirit is still willing, I will have to be content to shout HIP, HIP, HOORAY while sitting in my chair. Your Good News is the very best Christmas present. Love, ML
This is the best news ever and love the joyous picture of your family! Your positive attitude during every step of this journey has brought you to this very moment. I cannot wait to celebrate with you in NYC!
Awesome news! So happy for you and your family! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Amazing, amazing, amazing news! I love Door #1 and the Crafty Family. What a gift. Keep up the fight and enjoy the wonderful news. You deserve it!