Six months, six pictures

[villenadecorte]

Hey PR crew... think it has been since the Holidays I've popped in.
So, I've summed up the last six months, with six pictures.

Thanks to those who've helped me get through it
Hope to be a regular again on PR.com...

Christmas was great, family together, even snagged a Holga (guess I was on Santa's nice list)...

Then, we noticed a lump on Jay


So, we had to get it checked out...


Ultimately confirming exactly what we DIDN'T want to hear.
But, thankfully, it was Hodgkins Lymphoma, with a high cure/treat rate.

Jay started chemo in February

and while it wasn't as horrifying as we imagined...
it certainly wasn't easy...

after a rough patch in February and March, a botched port-placement, and some hospital time, it got a little easier...
and we even adopted another dog (priorities, man! priorities!)

after 8 rounds of chemo, we got great news on Thursday May 22, 2008...
that Jay was all clear.
We had a big party for the good news, the holiday (and my bday), with lots of family.


We still have three weeks of radiation ahead of us, but we're confident it will be smooth sailing now.

Jay has been incredibly strong and amazing throughout, and managed to blog this whole ordeal even when feeling his worst., and now we're excited to get back on track seeing what else the great Northwest offers us.

[walterick]

Wow, Rebekah what an ordeal. I'm happy that everything came out great for Jay and your family. Welcome home!

Rick

[Greg McCary]

I am glad everything is working out and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Old Timer]

You sure have had a lot on your plate the last few months. Glad to hear thing are looking better. Hope to see more of you here at PR you are missed.

[Lori11]

Welcome back and congrats on the wondeful news! Prayers to you and your family

[retroactiv]

Wow, what a story, and great job of using images to help tell it. It is great that Jay is on the road to recovery.

[Julian Miller]

Hey Jay: Welcome home, the worst is over and you are looking handsome in the last picture.
Hope everything continues to be this way.

Julian

[mtbbrian]

Hang in there Bekkah!
And make sure you find some time to get out and make some photographs with that Holga!
Brian

[JETA]

Here's to Jay and a speedy recovery.

My friend just had the exact same port put in for her chemo. I'm so grateful she didn't have complications like Jay.

Thanks for the blog link. I'm anxious to read it.

[villenadecorte]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the great posts/prayers. For those who are not familiar with us- Jay is my husband, and while he has never been on PR he certainly knows the PR family, so I will pass along your thoughts.
It has been a whirlwind of activity since moving to Portland in 06 -that is for sure.
It would be great if I could get out and shoot sometime soon

-r

[Liz]

Rebekah,

Thank you for sharing about the ordeal the two of you have been through the past 6 months. You will certainly be supported here by the PR community. That is tough stuff and a huge challenge. I'm glad Jay finally got some good news. I will pray for the both of you that the radiation has no side effects and that Jay will continue to improve - and his healing will remain complete.

Nice puppy you've adopted there!

I hope you will continue to come around - and I will pray that the two of you will have some really good days ahead now.

Liz

[readingr]

I was wondering what was keeping you away.

I hope Jay continues on the road to recovery. Send him my best.

Missed you loads on here.

Roger

[Alison]

Woah I think I would have fallen to pieces!

It's nice to know that he has the all clear now, here's hoping it stays that way! He looks FANTASTIC!

[Kokopeli]

Great to hear that Jay is responding so well to the treatment! I'll add you and keep you in my prayers. ~Brian

[SmartWombat]

Wow !
I'm glad for you that it is almost over.
A rough ride I'm sure.
And a good outcome, makes me happy to hear that.

I've seen too many like that second picture, I worked 6 years in clinical imaging.

Yet when it happens to you and your family it's totally different.

My Father's cancer was operable, but he decided no to take surgery - he said if my mother had been alive ...
My Mother-in-law's cancer was so fast in appearing, no symptoms until two weeks before she died - by then there were metastases up and down the spine.

[villenadecorte]

Liz, Roger, Alison, Brian,Paul - thank you all again, for all the kind words and thoughts.
Paul- I'm sorry cancer has made its way through your family as well.

Here's to healthier living for us all, eh?

[mtbbrian]

Here's to healthier living for us all, eh?

AMEN!!!!!
:thumbsup:
Brian

[MJS]

Welcome back. It'll be great to have your input again. I'm glad that Jay is doing better. Cancer definitely sucks. Really glad to hear it's working out

[Asylum Steve]

Good the hear the news, Bek-EEE. Welcome back... :7:

[villenadecorte]

Michael, Steve, thanks guys... good to hear from you

[almo]

Well, I just picked my Jaw back up off the floor. I am glad to hear that Jay is all clear of the cancer. I used to have a neighbor with NHL, and I saw the toll it took on him. Jay is younger and stronger than he was, so I am hoping for a full recovery for him!

[gahspidy]

Hey Rebekah, I must have missed you the last time you popped on but it is great to see you back especially after the ordeal and with good news. I wish you guys all the best and hope to see you back on more often . . .