Great News!

Taken from my private blog:

This morning as Dr. Mason walked into the office he said, "The scans were negative. You are in complete remission."

I think Brian and I both let out a big sigh of relief as we both had been holding our breath. I am so glad there wasn't any beating around the bush. We experienced enough suspense over the past 8 months. It was exactly 8 months ago today that I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. In that time I have undergone chemotherapy treatment, had a beautiful baby girl and been hospitalized. I have had moments where I feel great and times that I can't get out of bed. Now I can look back at all of this and view it in the past tense. It's over. In 8 months I went from perfectly healthy to cancer patient and now to cancer survivor.

Wow. What a ride it was. There have been low points and high points all along the way. I certainly don't want to do it again, but I can't say I would trade the experience either. The past 8 months included the birth of our daughter. Although that didn't go how I would have planned, giving birth was an incredible experience and one I am so thrilled to have had. God didn't have to give me that opportunity but he chose to bless me in that way and for that I will always be thankful.

After we got the results and I finished hugging Dr. Mason we walked out to chat with everybody. Scripps has been such a wonderful place to work with. It is a very intimate environment and I pretty much know everyone on the floor by name. Those I don't know still know exactly who I am. We took both the kids and although it wasn't our first choice I am so glad they came. Showing them off to everyone was a perfect way to end this chapter. Everyone there has been so invested in our lives and in our family. Isla is lovingly referred to as our "ABVD miracle baby!" She got passed around this morning from person to person. Meanwhile Elias blew kisses to everyone and had them all smitten by the time we left.

All of the fellows had a hard time saying goodbye as they probably won't be there anymore by the next time I go in. Dr. M asked if she could leave the Navy and come be my nanny and then wanted a run down of the Ethiopian adoption process. Dr. S called me "hard core" after I told them all we plan on adopting again and that I've just been waiting for the words "in remission" to start the 6 month countdown to begin the process. He gave me his personal e-mail so I could keep him up to date on our family and when talking to Isla referred to himself as "Uncle Ethan." Dr. V in his quirky way said he would miss us. When I thanked Dr. Mason for all he has done he turned around and thanked me - not what I was expecting. To these doctors though I represent a challenge and a personal investment of time, energy and knowledge.

I hope that at the end of all this I leave someone inspired or hopeful. I might never know if this piece of my life or the way I handled this trial has made a positive difference in someone's life but I sure hope so. I worked hard to keep a positive attitude and made a conscious effort to always let those I was talking to know that I was taking what God was giving me and trying to make the best of it.

Although I am considered in full remission, I am not considered cured until I have been in remission for five years. Over the next five years I will be seen by the oncologist for a physical exam and blood work every 3 months and have a scan every 6 months.

We don't know what the future holds for us. Someday we would like to adopt again. Someday we would like to live overseas. For now we will just focus on enjoying the life and relationships God has given us.

I think it is only fitting to retire this blog today! Therefore, this will be my final post. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. Your words of encouragement have been a huge blessing to Brian and I...I will be sure to keep them all as a reminder of all the love and support we have had through this process. I will try to start back up with the family blog http://gossettadoption.blogspot.com

Love to you all,
Autumn

Spring Brings New Life!

On March 15, 2010 our daughter, Isla Ann (pronounced eye-la) joined our family. She was 6 weeks early and weighed only 4 pounds, yet God gave her to us at just the right time!

Elias and Isla meet for the first time!

Isla began her journey nice and dramatic and decided to make her entrance that way too! At 3 months along I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma (as you probably all know). Isla underwent many rounds of chemotherapy with me and despite a number of scares, stayed strong and healthy the whole time. At 34 weeks along I came down with the flu. The intensity of the vomiting most likely caused my water to break, although it took me peeing my pants, 30 minutes of non-stop peeing and a phone call to my mom from the toilet to realize that my water had actually broken. Being an adoptive mom, I was obviously new at this part! Isla came 12 hours later after 45 minutes of pushing. The cord was wrapped around her neck and she was purple and not breathing. From the moment I saw her until I heard she was okay were the most terrifying moments of my life. She was easily recessitated and taken to the NICU where she spent the first 3 weeks of her life. It was a long and trying journey for our family but we have our baby girl with us and it was all worth it and more!

Elias loves his little sister. He wants to help with everything: bathing, feeding, rocking, holding, etc. He calls her baby or baby eye-a. Here are photos my mom had taken of them when I was in the hospital for a number of days. Elias is 22 months and Isla is 2 months.

Elias Besufikad

Isla Ann

I will give a quick update on me. With the birth of Isla and bouts in the hospital my last rounds of chemotherapy had to be postponed a few times and I just finally finished yesterday! It was so nice to have my treatment and know I would not be going back in 2 weeks! In a few weeks I will have a scan and get the results which will then determine if this journey is over for our family or if I will need to continue on with radiation therapy. We are really looking forward to being done with this and just spending some time being "normal" and enjoying our two wonderful kids. At that point I will definitely blog more and tell you all about the ways God has blessed us through these two incredible little people! ...And what future little people He has in store for us!