The Best Medicine

Texas holds a special place in my heart for many reasons, not the least of which is Hubert H. Moss Lake—simply “Moss Lake” to me. My family spent many summer weekends and holidays at the cabin of our family friends, the Davises, where the water was cool and inviting, the hours were carefree, and life was sweet.

Now, my trips to Texas carry a different weight. They are stressful and filled with worry. What will the new tests reveal about my treatment last fall? Am I in remission?

The results from my visit to M.D. Anderson last week were positive overall. Even so, I read them carefully—critically—aware that we aren’t even halfway through this year of monitoring. It’s still too early to know whether the CAR-T treatment has truly done its job.

One encouraging sign is that I don’t need Filgrastim shots or IVIG infusions right now. My counts are in range—or close enough—that I can step back from them, at least for the time being.

I am grateful to God for bringing me this far, and for the people who have carried me along the way: skilled and compassionate medical professionals, my family, my friends, and countless others who have prayed for me. My physical pain has eased. I’m functioning more normally again. And in this in-between space—between memory and uncertainty—I find myself held by hope and gratitude, two of the best medicines there are.