October marks a very special month for DH (aka Jerome, aka J) and I. And it’s not how long we’ve been married (that is 5 ½ ) and it’s not how long we’ve been together (that is 9) and it’s not how long we’ve known each other (that is 15). This month marks 10 years that J has been clean of Cancer.

In April of 1996, J got married to his first wife (grrrr…). Right after, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Six months of high doses of chemo followed. His last treatment and subsequent clean bill of health followed on October 31, 1996. He was monitored for 5 years after that with annual blood work and cat scans. He is still monitored with annual blood work. Each year that he is healthy is a blessing and something we are extremely grateful for.

Ten years is a HUGE milestone – as the longer he goes without a reoccurrence, the higher the odds that it WILL NOT come back.

Our daughters are too young to understand what this month means for their father, their mother and most importantly them and our family. But one day, they will. They will know what their father went through and he will share with them all the wonderful doctors and nurses who helped to save his life. They will understand that without these people and the support he received from family and friends, he would not be here and neither would they.

We are extremely grateful every day for our family. But this month, I am especially grateful for J’s life and that he was given the chance to be the wonderful father that he is.

Congrats hon!