What is awesome? 79-year-old Alex Trebek made his triumphant return to Jeopardy on Monday for his 36th season as the show’s host.

He had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March and was going through treatment. With a survival rate of only nine percent, the host spoke openly about the dire situation on an episode that aired earlier this year.

“I am going to fight this and I am going to keep working, keep the faith and we’ll win.” he said at the time.

And win he did. After undergoing cancer treatment through chemotherapy, Trebek reports that “some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent” in a development that even he admits is “mind-boggling”.

With nearly 8,000 episodes of the hit trivia show under his belt, Trebek’s fans who have prayed for his recovery are both relieved and excited at his return. They’re not alone, either.

“I’m happy to report I am still here,” Trebek said to open the show Monday.