'you will beat this'

to everyone who has sent me an email, card, text message or exchanged a simple fist-bump in the hall uttering those four simple words... thank you. to say i've been touched is an understatement. i have felt overwhelmingly supported by all of you - my blog-readers ;), family, friends and colleagues - who remind me that, yes, i will beat this. although i believe it with my whole heart, hearing those four words doesn't get old.

my first round of chemo starts today at 9am and i'm ready as ever to get this show on the road. after several weeks of diagnostic efforts, i'm happy to be rounding the corner to treating (beating!) this cancer. as i head into this first chemo cycle, i acknowledge this road will be hard... and long... but in the end, i will beat this. while i can't promise my updates over the next four (or six) months will always be as bright as my pre-chemo words have been, i can promise you one thing: they will be true.

in the weeks ahead, when i grow tired of working to get well, i will look back and remember how positive and certain i feel at this moment that i will beat this... but please don't stop reminding me.