“You kicked its butt dad, you did it”
In quiet moments I have dared to dream that one day this year I would write a post like this. Not often as I was always mindful not to get ahead of myself or the process I was working through.
Yesterday Petra and I unexpectedly received the news that my scans confirmed that I am now “cancer free” and in “complete remission”!! In the words of my oncologist my scan results are “fanbloodytastic”!! I will take that as very good.
My oncologist was scheduled to talk us through the scan results this Friday but when I was sitting in the big blue chair I was summoned to her chambers unexpectedly. I have learned that the hospital system can deliver both bad and good news in a similar fashion. That is news can be delivered bluntly, quickly and with little time for reflection. That is how this great news was delivered yesterday around 10.00am.
Initially the nurses in the cancer day unit would not let me leave as I was all hooked up to my new black bag. I soon realised that the oncologist pulled rank and I was begrudgingly allowed to leave, together with my IV pole to stroll to the day clinic in another part of the hospital. I then sat to join the many others in the waiting room. Petra was on her way in to see me so I sent her a text that I was no longer in the blue chair.
After some 15 minutes I was called into the room to see her. She jumped straight into asking how I was, how she wants to harvest my stem cells etc, then she said “oh, your results are in and they are fanbloodytastic, you are completely cancer free, it’s an amazing result. Congratulations”. That sentence flowed through me with an intensity that I imagine a junky feels when heroine enters their system. I looked at Petra to see pure joy in her eyes. The oncologist continued to say stuff but I don’t really remember it. I felt tears well in my eyes as I was starting to understand what all this meant and I thought about the last 9 months.
The oncologist then said “lets look at your pictures” and she quickly accessed the before and after shots of my abdomen. I have never posted this or told anyone other than Petra but I had nearly 50 tumours when I was diagnosed. My abdomen, stomach and behind my lungs was a sea of black masses. It scared me shitless and I carried that image with me. Anyway, my new scans show only pristine white. Nothing. Clean. I love that scan, I do.
As I stared at this image the good Dr then said, “I better let you go, you don’t have an appointment with me you know, I slipped you in, people are waiting, great news, will let you know when the stem cell harvest has been arranged”. With that we were summoned out of her rooms and I we started the slow stroll back to the cancer day unit.
On that walk back the tears flowed as it was all a bit much to take in. The nurse asked if we needed a room but we declined as we knew that my chair was in demand and I had already pushed back the schedule by 45 minutes or so and someone was waiting for their juice. We sat silently for a while as it was not appropriate to talk about our good fortune when surrounded by so many still so sick around us.
When the infusion was over we left and allowed to all to happen.
Late last night we sat our girls down in a circle on the carpet with Mika the killer dog in the centre. I told them all the great news. It was a wonderful moment. Each girl responded in their own way but the relief and joy was obvious. Lily, the super competitive one where everything is defined by a ranking, a ladder, a test, a result, leaned over and whispered into my ear “you kicked its butt dad, you did it”. I loved that.
So now what? Not really sure. I have 2 years of maintenance therapy, 3 monthly assessments and a few more little procedures, but ostensibly its over. I live. I enjoy. We cease to worry.
I want to thank all of you who have provided us with support directly and indirectly. The phone calls, the texts, the emails, the blog comments, the food drops, help with the kids, the sporting help, the motivation, the positive thoughts, the counselling, the guidance, the listening and the advice. All invaluable.
I want to acknowledge the partners I work with all of whom took on the additional responsibilities, travelled more, worked harder, stressed more, spent considerable time away from their families to keep it all ticking over. The Deloitte partnership has been amazing, the tone set from the very top, in allowing me complete freedom to focus on getting well and the needs of my family. I have no doubt this has been a major part of my healing. No doubt.
There is no need for me to comment here on the efforts of Petra who at every step was with me on this journey.
Cheers
My Unplanned Sabbatical 
This is THE best news! So, so, so very happy for you, Petra and the girls, your Mum and siblings, Mika, your extended family and all of your friends. You did it SD – it is more than fanbloodytastic – it is simply sensational!! Here’s to many, many more happy days 🙂
That’s super fantastic news!!! We are so very happy for all of you!!!
That is such great news! So happy for you, Petea and the kids.
Hi Serg and Pet …. That is such fantastic news… All that bloody time in the blue chair Serg … Well done … We are all so happy for you and the girls …. Love The Davs xxxx
Sorry Petra, not Petea!
You, your family, even the dog, are a superstar. Well done Serg, i am sooo happy, wanna cry too. Cant wait to see you in one of these global R&D meetings and give you a big big hug and tell you how much I admire you for having gone through that fight and have succeeded at it. Do you remember your post about this new Serg that you could not always recongise? Welcome back Serg.
Carmen you have provided so many great comments and support throughout this journey. I really appreciate it.
Thank you
Great news Serg & Petra & Girls & Mika! You are truly blessed, enjoy your new chapter of the Duchini Family. cheers the Morgans
Wonderful news Serg! So very happy for you and your family.
Thanks Doug
I look forward to catching up with you soon somewhere in the world!
Your text was the first that came on to my phone when I hit Australia and I was thrilled naturally. Having just found out about and joined the blog last week and it’s now essentially over, I can’t help but think that if I’d joined earlier maybe it would have been over sooner.
I am still abit overwhelmed by how good this news is. The character, resilience and even good humour the whole family showed over this journey has been amazing to observe. Looking forward to hearing happy sounds over the back fence in summer.
Thank you Sneza
You and your family have been great support on so many levels. As Shrek famously said “like an onion”
Cheers
Thats fantastic news!!! So happy for you and the girls! You are so brave! Wonderful news!! oxoxoxox
Fantastic news, best news I have heard all year. Congratulations on surviving your battle , what a relief for you & Pet & the girls. Have you cracked the champers yet?
Thanks Sil
Not yet, but it’s chilling.
BRILLIANT news Serg, sooooo very happy for you all
Hugs to you xxoo
I shed tears of overwhelming relief for you and yours. Such a journey. Bring out the “bubbles”, I am coming over (when I get back to Melbourne that is !) Fx
Grazie Bella!
Absolutely
Fanbloodytasic what a relief it must of been to hear that sentence Great to know that that life changing event is at the closing end! you have made my day ange and co
Serg, we all have waited for this post. Very happy for you and your family. Just checking my mails in Singapore airport and got the weekly digest. Confess to being a little teary. The weekly digest of your blog has brough a lot of moments of clear focus to our busy lives. So happy for you, thanks for sharing the journey.
Enjoy and best wishes, Seamus
Hi
Just quietly, in the background, Danni ( who looked after your girls) have been hoping for you all that this day would come…..so pleased. And oh! you have such gorgeous girls!!! Enjoy the future 🙂