Sorry this is long, but I have so much to share.
Yesterday was my last scheduled day for chemotherapy—and it almost didn’t happen. When I arrived, I met briefly with a nurse who told me that my last bloodwork indicated my platelet count was critically low (70, when normal range is 150 to 400), so they wanted me to head straight to the nearby hospital for another blood draw to see whether the number had moved enough for it to be safe for me to undergo treatment. I had been dropped off for my appointment, so I called home, and the 20-year-old hurried back to town to ferry me to the hospital and back to the clinic. Thankfully, the hospital quickly took the blood and ran it. I was sitting at 117, so still sweating whether they would allow me to go through with it. When I returned, my oncologist said it was high enough for us to proceed.
Now, it’s not like I ever look forward to a day spent with medicines rushing through my body, all with side effects, some unpleasant, but I am still hopeful the treatments will give me what I need—more time. So, I blew out a breath and smiled back at him and said, “Let’s do this.” He also mentioned as I headed out the treatment room door, “Did you see your latest antigen test?” That same set of stats that said my platelets had tanked had shown that my Cancer Antigen Test number was 23—down from 1100—and well within normal range. I told him I had and moved down the corridor to the infusion treatment room.
It was packed. I didn’t get my favorite chair. I know that sounds silly, but I like the one next to the door so I’m not sitting sandwiched between two people and because the chair is easiest to maneuver it to lie back so I can rest. I don’t like asking for help to adjust my chair. But I sighed and moved to the only empty chair. Jimmy the tech, who always takes care of me, inserted my IV (remember, my port was removed last month). Then the infusions began. Hours later, after I had napped and listened to The Beatles, The Stones, and CCR through my headphones, I was done.
Jimmy removed my IV. As he was leaving, he gave me a smile. “It’s going to be easy from here on out. Just an hour in the chair, and you won’t even feel it afterward.”
The doctor had hung around to make sure there were no issues. I rarely see him a second time in the day, but he entered, smiling widely.
“You know you’ve made amazing progress,” he said.
I narrowed my eyes to tease him and said, “Amazing compared to what?” Was this a line he gave all his patients?
He shook his head. “No, your number dropped so fast, and the fact we could already see a 50% reduction in the size of your cancer after the third treatment gives me real hope for remission.”
My heart thudded in my chest, but I kept quiet. Remission does not mean a cure. Remission does not mean a cure, I reminded myself.
“We’re going to set up a PET scan before we begin immunotherapy, but after that, I’m going to refer you to some terrific surgeons at UAMS who specialize in your kind of cancer.”
That stunned me because he has repeated to me three times over the months since this all began, that he didn’t believe I’d be a good candidate for surgery to remove my cancer because it was too…big. That I’d be looking strictly at maintenance infusions for the rest of my life to keep the cancer contained, if possible. The fact he thought I would be a candidate for surgery to remove the source of my cancer had me blinking and then giving him a huge smile.
He did give me a caveat. “I think they can remove your ovaries and uterus, but I’m not sure about the omentum. That’s more complicated, but they’re the surgeons. That’s not what I do.” He also said, “Once you begin immunotherapy every six weeks, you can take a vacation, live your life, get back to normal. You can grow back your hair!”
So, friends, things are looking up. I might be able to add more years to that original prognosis of one to three years. I’m sure he wouldn’t like to hazard a guess until his colleagues agree to do surgery and I make it safely to the other side, but I’m feeling pretty damn good—even though I’m facing a miserable two weeks of recovery now.
I have hope for more time to spend with my family. More time to write books. Time to put together another anthology. Dang, I need to redo my 2025 plans!
Comment
Amazing news please be extra careful need u much much more please be careful safe and grr those people can’t they tell it’s ur chair
Feel better soon
Comment
Wishing you all the best and thankful that you have such excellent treatment. Keep all the good thoughts and your in my prayers for continued healing.
Comment
What great news to end the year with. Sending healing prayers to take you into the new year.
Comment
Wonderful news! Wishing all the best for you.
Comment
Oh wow! Great news! Fingers crossed for you.
Comment
omg I’m so happy for you – I know how this feels – I will keep you in my prayers … hugs, Kathy
Comment
That such fantastic news. I wish you the best with your surgery. Remember to take it easy and relax.
I’ll keep you in my prays and have a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Comment
I am so happy for you! This is amazing news, and a fantastic way to head into the new year! <3
Comment
Sounds like wonderful news! I hope things keep going in the right direction for you in 2025. Prayers and hugs. 🙏🤗🙏🤗🙏
Comment
I am so excited as I read this! My thoughts continue to be with you and yours as you continue to heal and go through this process. I am praying for your providers and continued healing and recovery. They will not cease as I believe that you are perfectly capable of being one of His walking, writing miracles. May 2025 bring you and yours happiness, health and peace.
Comment
So very happy for you. Remission may not mean cure, but it’s pretty miraculous. “You can live your life.” How wonderful.
Comment
Oh wow great news! I’m so happy for you!
Comment
Very good news! The right attitude moving thru life & its roadblocks make the biggest difference. You are a champion, strong & blessed with family.
Sending hugs of comfort, and strength. ❣️❣️
Comment
Such good news. I admire your strength.
Comment
Congratulations!! You are definitely a warrior!! I’m so glad you got some good news!!
Comment
This is such amazing news!!!
Comment
Wonderful news for you and your family! I’m happy to hear it.
Comment
Congratulations on your numbers. I look forward to reading everything you write in the future. I’ll keep you in my prayers for everything to work out to your advantage.
Comment
This is really awesome great news!!! Prayers
Comment
Congratulations! I know you got this. Yes, you need to update your 2025 calendar to include more writing. Happy New Year!
Comment
So happy and s o proud for you!
Comment
I’m crying happy tears for you and your family.
Cancer had no idea that it was taking on a Superhero!!
Amazing news for the new year!!
Comment
That is wonderful news. You’re such a champion. I pray that things just get better and better. I hope this next two weeks goes by really fast 2025 is going to be a great year. You’re always in my thoughts and prayers. Much love!
Comment
Delila, that’s amazing news! I’m so happy for you, I know that you will get awesome care at UAMS (I’m a patient of two fabulous doctors there) I will definitely keep you in my thoughts as you traverse this road to recovery! I’ll be sending you healing energy and positive vibes that you receive the news that you’re hoping for! If you need a friend, I live in Little Rock and I would be happy to visit with you! Please keep us updated on your progress! Remember your family, friends and fans love you and we definitely need to around as long as possible! Keep the faith and you will kick cancer to the curb…on your behalf 🖕🏻cancer you will not win!! 🫶🏻🤞🏻❤️🩹🙂↔️
Comment
Great news for you & your family going through this with you. Sending wishes for more healing in the new year. 💜
Comment
Wonderful news !!! What a great new outlook for 2025 !!! Looking forward to that next anthology !!
Comment
Good news and hope for the new year!
Comment
Amazing news, Delilah. So thrilled for you.
Comment
I teared up at reading the word surgery’ and am feeling hopeful this plan pans out. So glad for your family about the good news
Comment
That is wonderful news!
Comment
Such amazing news! I am so happy to read it.
Comment
You’ve got this!! May 2025 be the very best Year ever 🎉
Comment
So glad to hear the news. I have been keeping you in my daily prayers for healing. Happy New Year