For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly last year when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma, underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. My last round of imaging studies revealed no evidence of recurrent cancer to date. My next infusion treatment is on February 24, 2022.

While continuing to receive my cancer infusions, I have focused not only on returning to work as a surgeon, but also on achieving more balance in my life. One such way for both me and my wife Kellee was to downsize our house. Sometimes it is good to share some of the uplifting moments in our lives:

We moved to our new home (built in the 1960s) 3 months ago. Kellee and I wanted to have a special painting commissioned to display prominently in the sitting area of our home, just inside our front entry. We asked our good friend and artist, Christy Frank (@christyfrankart), to create the perfect painting, in an impressionism style, incorporating our existing colors. She met with us in the space and began to create this special piece. I have posted some of the steps along the way in this blog.

There is some back story, in that Christy’s husband, Dr. Robert Frank, is one of the ear, nose, and throat surgeons, in my group. They have both been a part of my story this past year from my diagnosis through treatment. In fact, as I write this episode, I am on call for our practice for the first time since my diagnosis and surgery last summer in 2021. It took a while for me to work my way back to the office and the operating room to the point that I would feel comfortable in the event of a surgical emergency that would require my attention. I was scheduled to be on call over Christmas, but Dr. Frank graciously covered my call despite having a new 3-month-old baby daughter at home for her first Christmas.

Christy named this piece, Rejoice, to express the waterfall of emotions that she felt during the creation. In her own words, she shared to me and Kellee, “Your physical, emotional, and mental journeys that have been coupled with the immense spiritual component were at the forefront of my mind.” This was one of her quickest creations ever because of our personal connections.  She says she “could not put down that brush!”

I hope you all can appreciate this work now hanging in our home. As I drank coffee and sat in our sitting area this morning, I reflected on this work and how it will be a beautiful reminder to me for many years to come. As I see it every day, it will remind me of light and hope. Another word that comes to mind is “thankfulness.” It will help me Rejoice in my victory over melanoma and remind me of God’s grace. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4