Mission Moment - Team Hero, Jen Polo

A personal message from Amanda Goble:

Below is an update from Team Hero Jen Polo's Trek blog. All very good news as you are preparing for some long mileages this weekend. Remember to check out her blog at http://womenwhoride.typepad.com/jen

Well, it's been a long couple of days since my scan - my body is still "enjoying" the effects of the barium. But, I am soooooo happy to report that my radiology report was the shortest it has been in almost 3 years. NO CANCER! No glowing spots, no little bits, nothing. My doctor knows that it does not suffice to say "You're fine." I have to lay my eyes on that report (and many times the actual scan films) myself.

So, scan-a-rama-ding-dong! [Insert your own sound effect and crazy dance of joy here].

It's hard to explain to those who haven't been directly through the roller coaster of cancer themselves how much living between these scans changes you. My entire personality changes right before each scan because of the anxiety and the mental preparation you have to go through to deal with whatever may come. Sometimes, okay most times, at least for Jeff and I that mental preparation comes in the form of sarcastic humor. Jeff comes with me to each appointment and so as we are sitting waiting for lab work, his work phone buzzes with incoming e-mail.

Jeff: "Hmmm. . . a rep from a company is coming in to take us to lunch. What time will we be done?" Me: "Do you want my next blog title to be "Honey, how's your steak?. . . I have cancer again." ? Jeff: "Funny. I'll e-mail that back to them." Humor is what gets us through.

I had someone say to me last year, "You have to go every three months - that's so often." Yes, it may seem often to some, but, to me, being granted a three month reprieve from pokes, prods, questions, forms, lab results, chemo - any of it feels - like a lifetime. We rejoiced this summer when I was given the "whole summer" off. I felt free to make plans without reservation and live the summer to its fullest without tempering myself for the "what if" that comes every time you step foot in the oncology door.

I can now live with abandon for the next three months (okay, okay, within the confines of making sure my kids get to school, we all have clean underwear, yada, yada, yada).

The blog is AWESOME Jen! So happy to hear about the clear scan!