This is the post I've dreamed about writing since starting this blog and yet I'm sat here not sure how to convey in words just how elated I am right now. I'd really like to have been able to eloquently share some of this happiness with you, as a thank you for pulling me through those darker moments with your love and support. I'd like to give fellow cancer patients a good read, because this is the best bit.

But I am not feeling eloquent right now. What I am feeling is flipping fantastic. Like I'm walking on water. Actually - scratch that - dancing on water. 

Yesterday I got to hear my Oncologist tell me my PET/CT scan was completely clear - no cancer. NO CANCER. Maybe I should write that one more time only in bold text -- NO CANCER.

I don't think anything else I will write will top those two words right now so I will leave the reflective post for another time. A time when I'm not drinking champagne and dancing to this.

Thank you and Wahoooooo!

I'm generally very positive when reflecting on the past year - on all the amazing things that have happened alongside the crumbling diagnosis of cancer. It has been life changing -- the highs have been really high and the lows, pretty low. 

One of the highs stemmed from my involvement with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This week just after I had a little wobbly moment, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society announced on their blog page that I am one of their Honored Hero's for Chicagoland.

If feels pretty amazing and I'm not as wobbly anymore because it reminded me I am not in this alone. 

Check me out! The LLS Illinois Blog 

I'm shameless I know. So shameless, in fact that I will also leave a link to my Light the Night Walk fundraising page. For those who would like to, please donate to this amazing organization. With thanks to Doctors, Scientists, Fundraising and organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society I have hope that in our lifetimes we may actually see a cure for cancer. 

Rainbow Ramblers Fundraising Page 

Thank you, love your Shameless Honored Hero

Never underestimate the humble garage sale. Or more to the point, the people of the humble garage sale. There are some professionals at play with negotiating skills that could rival a city trader. Well maybe not, but they whirled me around their little fingers whilst filling their arms with baby slings, sewing machines and cookies. 

And thank goodness for the cookies along with our generous neighbors and friends. It appears that the chip in the armour of the garage sale professional is of the chocolate variety. 

The reason for our garage sale was to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and kick off our fundraising activities for our Light the Night Walk. I mentioned in a soppy post last year about how amazing being a part of last year's Light the Night Walk was for me. Taking part in the walk last year, weary from the chemo was inspiring.  Being surrounded by all the people out there who support families like us boosted our spirits and made me feel a lot less lost in the world. This year, I am actually due to speak at the event, which I'm really excited about - hence the Garage sale fundraising activities. Even though there was a little more haggling than I anticipated, it was fun and we still raised $510.

Thanks to all our neighbors who donated lots of amazing items to sell and helped set up. It was great talking to everyone who came by, especially those who had also been affected by cancer in one way or another.

I was asked why I choose the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a cause, so I thought I would share. In addition to the support I have received, it's because of the research they fund. Dr. Carl June in the video below is an LLS funded researcher. For me, having seen people dying of HIV/Aids first hand during my Aid Worker days, it is somewhat awe-inspiring to see that the virus is being used by researchers to help the body kill cancer cells -- a chip in cancer's armour.