Ring the Bell!! I am a Survivor!

Bryan came to celebrate with his mommy.

I came away from the clinic today feeling a bit overwhelmed.  It was a good feeling, joyful, and relieving all at the same time.  I knew at this moment God had answered our prayers.  After completing my 33rd and final radiation treatment, I am officially a survivor!  My son and several M.D. Anderson staff joined me for the bell-ringing ceremony. (This was a sacrifice for Bryan. He worked late and my appointment was at 7:30 AM.)  Unexpected tears came to my eyes as we closed this chapter of life.  I am so blessed by all the prayers, thankful for the words of encouragement, and overwhelmed by the number of people who have walked steadfastly through this journey with us.  Thank you!!!!

Someone asked about the bell, so here’s the story.

Radiation therapists called staff to join us as we paraded down the hall.

Admiral Irve Charles Le Moyne is credited for starting this tradition.  According to his obituary, he was the nation’s highest-ranking Navy Seal and a founder of the United States military joint special operations command.  He came to M.D. Anderson for treatment of advanced head and neck cancer in 1996.  Nearing the end of his treatment, he told his doctor he wanted to ring a bell when the job was done, as was tradition in the Navy.

They installed a bell with a plaque at M.D. Anderson downtown in his honor, and the bell-ringing tradition spread from head and neck cancer patients to all cancer patients, from the downtown clinic to other satellite offices, and continued to spread to other hospitals and treatment centers.  As I thought about ringing the bell while laying on the table from time to time, it gave me hope that I would successfully finish this race.  It was something to look forward to.  The bell was a symbol of completion.  Finally here, tears welled up in my eyes. I was filled with emotion words can’t describe.  I didn’t know the story of Admiral Le Moyne when I read these words on the plaque out loud, but I thank him for starting this tradition.  Here I am holding the plaque and ringing the bell.

Treatment is done!!

“Ring this bell

Three times well

Its toll to clearly say

My treatment’s done

This course is run

And I am on my way!”

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Bryan honored me with his artwork.

After the bell-ringing ceremony, Bryan and I celebrated with breakfast at Panera Bread.  While we sat and enjoyed each other’s company, he created this beautiful graffiti artwork in honor of my new status.  🙂

This evening, Elizabeth and I celebrated with dinner and a movie.  She played praise songs all the way to the cinema; she said we should laugh and sing since this is a day of celebration.  I forgot to take our picture, but the memory remains.  We are praising the Lord for this moment in time!  🙂

When Tim comes home, we will continue to celebrate with our Victory Ride!

À la prochaine (Until next time) …