Wednesday morning I wake up knowing this is the day I will ring the bell signifying the end of my chemotherapy treatments. After so many months and delays it hardly seems real! I get out of bed, thankful my stomach has calmed down since Tuesday!
At 7:30 a.m. my 48 hour IV pump beeps that it is empty. I start crying and can hardly hold myself up. That beep signals the end of the toxic chemicals! The last drop has entered my blood stream to do its job. I'm done! I did it! I survived IV chemotherapy! This was the part that I most dreaded about cancer treatment and honestly didn't think that I would be able to make it through. Together with God's strength and your support I have done it!
Mark and I arrive at the oncologist's office at 9:15 a.m. and are soon followed by my parents and nearly the whole Community of Faith staff! They have all come to witness the bell ringing and to celebrate with me! My heart is so full I am speechless! All the nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, medical assistants, receptionists, and my doctors dropped what they were doing and came to watch me ring the bell. There were so many cameras it felt like the paparazzi was there!
I looked up at that bell, read the plaque above it, "Believe in miracles", and I rang that bell for the whole world to know - God did this. He is good. He has walked with me every step. I do believe in miracles!
I hope my friends around the world heard it ringing! That was my intention!
Samantha, Robin, and Andie made t-shirts for the occasion!
The doctor's staff made me a party hat! Robin brought horns and confetti!
The gang was there!
Mom and Daddy were there!
Some of my awesome nurses!
Dr. Campos. I love this man!
Ringing the bell!!
We're done!
I love this man too! : )
"Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8
OHHHH Laura, : ) you made me cry, tears of GREAT joy. I don't usually write on your comments BUT I just had to say this: YOU have been such an inspiration to me since you have been going through ALL this. I know YOU have touched my life as you have touched sooo many others. PLEASE Laura NEVER forget that. That must be such a wonderful thought, to know you have did that for soo many people. SURE, I know what you are thinking, "YAL are the ones that helped me make it through all this". YES, maybe you feel that way BUT if you only knew how many you have touched and have helped. I LOVE YOU LAURA and I'M SOOO VERY GLAD TO CALL YOU MY SWEET FRIEND. XOXO ALWAYS Linda
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love that you got to ring the bell!!! Yay!! I also love the sign that was hanging above the bell. I have that same exact sign sitting on our kitchen counter beside all of the IVF meds. :-) God is good!
ReplyDeleteI am speechless with joy and tears. Wow. Wow.
ReplyDeleteWow. The pictures make me feel I was there and a part of that. Thank you.
I am so joyful for this time in your life and its only going to get tremendously better!!!!
Wooo Hooo!!!! So excited for you! You did it!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long, very long and unexpected journey, but you made it! Happy Days Ahead!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Jeanne
SOOOOOO happy for you, I could cry. Thanks for sharing the pictures! My Dad's been in ICU for a month. Just being at the hospital for 4 weeks has been hard, and you have been on a much longer journey! I am so proud of you for perservering and hanging in there! God is so very good. We will continue to faithfully pray for you!
ReplyDeleteTears of JOY, tears of JOY! The picture of you and Mark speaks volumes to me. Not one to say I told you so,but...I told you you could do this....God carried you like he did me! I so want one of those shirts!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you and SOOOO HAPPY for you!
Debbie
I am soooo happy for you Laura....I cried the whole time I was reading your post, ESPECIALLY the picture of you and Mark...thank you for sharing this journey with us and thank you for inspiring us all....God Bless you!!! Luv ya!
ReplyDeleteVickie D
My eyes are filled with tears of JOY! I am so very excited for you!
ReplyDeleteAs we were praying last night we thanked the Lord for reminding us of his goodness. Your story is a part of that reminder!
Love you!
SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!! Praise God! What wonderful pictures! It is a miracle!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely crying after reading this! Congratulations Laura! You have been an inspiration, an uplifting example of faith and truly a miracle of God. Thank you for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!!!
Dear Laura,
ReplyDeleteI love your bravery.
Love you,
Jessica :-)
Crying tears of joy for you and yours!! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!
ReplyDeleteTo God be the glory!
Rebecca
Laura,
ReplyDeleteSooooo happy you got to ring that bell. Prayers of thanks as well as continued peace, comfort and healing - all according to God's plan - are going out for you right now.
Hugs!
How HIS strength in you and YOUR strength and FAITH have blessed me .. but also my family - we're all over the south! And, you have had lists of prayer warriors all over (as you know) praying and CHEERING you on!
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could sit a fresh baked cake in front of you and any other tasty favorite food ... THE BEST IS YET TO COME ! How GOOD and how GREAT Is our Father God ! amen !
Jean in NC
GOD IS ON HIS THRONE! That was one of the first things I remember you posting, even before you shared with us that you HAD cancer. I am sure HE is ringing a bell in heaven as HE sits looking down at you saying,"Well done, my child, well done!" You have glorified HIM from day one. ABBA loves you Laura! Soon you will not be a "bag lady" either!! LOL!!! I love you too Laura Shook! HAPPY DANCING!!!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHurray!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Laura! So thankful for God's strength in helping you persevere. You have been an inspiration to many. Thank you for your opening yourself and sharing with all of us. Continuing to keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Mueller