Day 21: February 7, 2009, Saturday

Houston, Texas: 4:00 a.m., Holiday Inn Hotel Medical Center


REMISSION. A word I longed to hear. 3 days ago, on Wednesday, February 4th at exactly 4:53 p.m. I heard just that.

I was sitting next to mom while she laid in her hospital bed. I recall sitting in the room and watching the nurse walk in, her name Jennifer. She'd been so helpful throughout our stay, explaining things patiently and thoughroughly. Meanwhile, when I saw her step into the room that day, it never dawned on me that she'd be walking in to give us good news. We all kind of glanced at her as soon as she stepped in. I for one thought she'd be giving us some information in regards to my moms stay at the hospital, but instead she was there to make our day. Her words—"Well I think you'll be able to go home soon, I just spoke to the doctor and things look great, they didn't find any plasma cells in the biopsy and your myeloma seems to be in remission." My instant reaction was a look of confusion and I instantly looked up and asked her as if she was crazy..."Are you serious?"

It's bizarre what I felt at that moment. I didn't cry. I felt a sense of disbelief. Me, the cry baby couldn't cry. I just wanted to take in that moment. I glanced up and looked at the time, I glanced over and looked at my mothers face. Who could believe it. 3-weeks in Houston, a trip to find a treatment for my mothers cancer and all the while they'd end up telling us it's in remission. A miracle...our miracle. My sister immediately called my older sister and shared the news, meanwhile I took a photo of my mom with this look of amazement on her face. She wouldn't blink and stared straight ahead. When we said asked, mom what's wrong, she replied in her broken english "I'm in chock" meaning shock. I laughed and kissed her forehead.

Soon after I walked towards St. Lukes hospital to grab a bite to eat and I recall looking up at the sky and saying "thank you god" and at that moment I began to cry. I wanted to share the news with someone, I wanted to tell everyone but I hesitated. We all wanted to be 100% sure. The following day we were to meet with the doctor for final diagnosis and a detailed summary of my moms condition. I stopped for a second and sat in front of St. Lukes, contemplating whether I should share the news yet or not. I sat and called a friend. I caught him while he was doing yardwork and when I shared the news with him the excitement he sent across the phone made that moment even more memorable. I felt lucky at that moment to know that I've been fortunate in life to have people around me who care—friends, coworkers, even strangers whom we've come across, praying for my mother and my family, lending support during difficult times...a blessing in our lives. A friend telling me to hold my head up and to be strong for my mother, a coworker and friend listening to me when I couldn't cope or couldn't hold back the tears, telling me good things will come. Words that are more than words. Words that are uplifting and help you become a stronger person during difficult times. People who are in your life at that specific moment for all the right reasons. Cheering you on when you see little hope up ahead. Having friends who call and end up telling you "you all are good people and good things will happen to you." Little things of that sort that make a world of a difference. One person, one word, one moment that touches and changes you forever.