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Hillary Jones's avatar

Thank you, Thank you for this! this fills me, nourishes me deeply

And I am so deeply grateful for your remission

Sending love

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Love received, Hillary! So glad to see/read you here!

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Chris Mentzel's avatar

What a deep and utmost human writing! I am so happy that you are winning not just over your illness, but also over that debilitating fear. God is with you, always.

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Thank you for the love, Chris. Does this story resonate? Have you found yourself wrestling with similar issues?

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Allison West's avatar

I’m overjoyed you’re in remission! I’m Allison West (I’m using my personal email) your new coaching acquaintance. Your writing is so captivating. My mom has had cancer several times (along with MS) so your words ricochet in my memory of talks with her about hope. My hope for her recovery. My hope for more conversations. Hope for another day.

I hope each day brings you not just the hope of living, but a day filled with laughter, joy, understanding and wonder. Good luck with the next round of treatment… I’m rooting for you.

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Welcome to our little Substack community, Allison! I’m so glad you’re here. Your words hit deep. The fervent hope for more time with a mother is something so many of us understand in our bones. Sending you understanding wrapped in love.

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Autie Armstrong's avatar

So terrific that after all you’ve gone through, you are now in remission. Wonderful. Car-T sounds like a correct but difficult choice, since one assumes your excellent docs recommended it, that the pluses and minuses added up to a plus, that it will provide many months of zero meds and you’ll continue to have so many friends, family members and acquaintances support, root and pray for you on this surreal and unfair adventure - that surely will be meaningful and make a positive difference. May God and good thoughts

bless you!

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

What a beautiful message, Autie. Received with love and gratitude.

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Desirree's avatar

Elizabeth! First, I am so incredibly thankful that you are in remission. I had goosebumps as I read your essay. I've never met someone so faithful, persistent, relentless and brave when dealing with such a formidable foe. And it's paying off. All of us who love you will keep the faith that your remission holds and your T-Cells are victorious in the role they are about to play - can I say 'in your cure?' Second, girl, you need to keep writing. Your thoughts on hope vs faith, your engagement with both, and your love of life, as it comes, is both an inspiration and a challenge to your reader. Can't wait for the next one. One day I can imagine a book come to life so that you can reach even more people. Talk soon!

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Wow, Des, the generosity and beauty of your words fill me with inspiration. Thank you for saying the C word that I can not bring myself to say. I love that you hold that vision for me. I have been cultivating a mission to bring cancer out of the closet - for the humans living with it and the humans who care for and about them. It's so scary, but if we move a little closer to it, talk about it, walk with it, the fear loses its grip on us. Please share Walk With Me with anyone you know who is on this path. xoxo

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Ronnie Sloan's avatar

Amazing news! I lean towards faith — in the things I can control, in the fundamental goodness of most people, and in our ability to adapt to and heal from life’s slings and arrows — along with a dash of optimism, each of which require daily cultivation and nourishment. Hope can feel passive, but it has its moments and is an important feeling to access at times, and to treasure.

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Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

I love that, RS. Your faith in the rightness of people and our fundamental resilience, sprinkled with a dash of hope - a recipe for a good life. Thank you for sharing.

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