In many cancer treatment centers, you will see a bell hanging on the wall signifying the end of a journey and beginning of another. As my IV treatments were nearing completion, I remember how I was so excited to ring the bell!! For me, this moment did not mean remission or cure but an end to the 6 months of IV infusions in my CLL treatment plan. While this was a milestone in my plan, there was still more ahead.
I can remember looking forward to having less side effects of tiredness and GI issues. Those issues did get better with being on 1 medication instead of 2. Even with taking just the oral treatment, I still had to make adjustments in life due to still becoming tired easily.
My husband, Jason, even made a homemade bell to hang on a wall in our home for us to ring signifying different accomplishments in life. For those who know us well, we enjoy celebrating pretty much everything in life whether it be a birthday, passed test, home sold, anniversary, and now an end to CLL treatment. I am pretty sure this bell will be a great conversation piece in our home as well as a remembrance of overcoming a chronic form of leukemia. Jason played just as much of a role as my caretaker which earns him a moment to ring the bell as well.
After completing my IV treatments, I was able to gather with several small groups of people instead of 1 large group mostly due precautions with my immune system. I was able to celebrate with the ladies from my weekly prayer group at dinner one evening and my church small group at our regular scheduled time. A few of our friends did get together for a small celebration as well. I wanted to include so many others but had to be careful at the time of not gathering with larger crowds to prevent possibilities of getting sick. At one of the celebrations, Jason introduced his homemade bell and had others share their stories and thoughts of my journey. I was truly honored in this moment as this was all a surprise. Everyone had such nice things to share. I am truly grateful to be surrounded by people who truly showed love, care, compassion, provided meals, and prayed for me during this time.
My last day of oral treatment with Venclexta is on March 23rd. I will ring the bell 1 last time to signify completion of a year long medication plan to rid CLL. Along the way, there have been some not so fun lows and some wonderful high moments. I am thankful that God has allowed me to see this moment of today at the end and that I was able to depend on the Him along the way.
As I reflect on the bell and the meaning of it, I think of so many people who underwent treatment, stared at the bell on the wall, and never given the opportunity to ring it. Also, there are so many who have rang the bell and lived a completely normal life. Then, there are those who rang the bell and have had to endure more treatment at a later time. Every person has a great story and is on a different journey. The journey is not always easy with many ups and downs. While we may not always know how to handle each moment along the way, we can find peace during the many winding paths and trust that our situation will not last forever.
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace (who imparts His blessing and favor), who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you (making you what you ought to be.)” 1Peter 5:10
