To everyone reading this; Thank you.

Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Since my diagnosis, I have had such an outpouring of love, offers of help, visits, emails, texts, facebook messages, letters, gift cards, cookies, baked goods, gchats….everything…that I just can’t even begin to express it.

I’m getting more choked up now, thinking about all the love and support I’ve gotten, than I have about any of my worries about the cancer.

In previous family or friend times of need, I’ve always been there. I’ve gone to hospitals, friend’s houses, whatever. For me, it was something you just did – I never really thought how much it might mean to the person I was visiting, for the most part. I went because that’s what you do when someone you care about is in trouble. I sometimes even felt like I was a bother.

Let me tell you all – no visitor is unwelcome or unappreciated. No message, text, email, phone call. Even when I’m feeling overwhelmed, every little thing is another little boost to my spirits.

I knew that I had good friends. I knew that I had good family. I knew that, intellectually. But I couldn’t have even imagined, before I got diagnosed, just how good everyone in my life really is. It is truly remarkable, unbelievable, and incredibly moving.

I’ve been contacted by people from high school, every branch and tree of my family, childhood friends, long lost friends. Old friends, new friends, friends I haven’t spoken to in years, everyone has been overwhelmingly supportive, positive, and uplifting.

So, this post is for everyone out there that has in some way contacted me. There’s a whole lot of you – way more than I can thank individually and by name – but in the coming weeks and months, I will certainly make a big effort to try to thank you all.

With that being said, I’m officially heading home. Stage 1 of the battle against leukemia is over, defeated with a minimum of symptoms and issues, and I return to my apartment filled to the brim with love, optimism, and a heart that literally can’t express its gratitude properly.

Thank you all.