CANCER FREE!!!

No more Mayo visits and off two more meds!!  Last two for another couple months and then ALL DONE. No more biopsies. Thank God, because that last one was a doozy and I am still numb on that part of my anatomy.  Yippee!  Chromosomes and immune system is 100% donor.  

Danke, danke, danke!  

And the Verdict...

...will be in on the 29th. Anxious doesn't even begin to describe how I feel right now. 

Recogniton

In the past year I have been blessed to have many incredible people support me thru getting sick and being laid off. Following is a nod to at least some of them. 

Thank you God. I don't understand why u have have tested me so, but do believe there was a purpose. Thank u for weeding those who don't belong in my life out. 

Jamie and Max, my true loves, you have my heart forever and no matter what I will always love you. God blessed me (and your dad) with you!  The last three years have been tough but you guys are such troopers. Jamie, you have such a kind and nurturing heart and disposition.  It isn't fair that you had to help care for me but I appreciate it. Max, I know that if you could have killed the bugs in my blood, you would have.  I hope you both saw how strong and determined momma is and how I don't give up...at the same time I hope neither of you remembers this time well in the future. I am grateful I am the one who got sick rather than you. 

Mom, dad, and Chris.  Thank you for putting your own lives on hold to help care for me, my kids, pets and house. I know it wasn't pleasant or easy.  Mom and dad, I know it must have been hard to think you might lose another of your children so soon.  Chris, my brother, you have done so much for me and my kids and I will never forget it. 

Kav, Irene, and Cathy. I know it was inconvenient, but thank you Kav for keeping our kids when I was hospitalized. I appreciate your love and flexibility. Even today. 

My friends. Diane Watkins and Darlene Landrum for your frequent hospital visits. I so looked forward to them when I was cooped up. Julius Tavernaro, you were so thoughtful in bringing me movies and a laptop to watch them on. And hot teas. Angelica, thank you for lending me your notebook.  Sharon Sirotnak and mom for your kind words and thoughtfulness. Sandra, your continued health is an inspiration. Nikol, your notes and calls meant so much to me and I will keep that sushi card as long as I live. Please don't follow in these footsteps...babies and boyfriends/husbands were enough. Kathleen, thank you for thinking of me in last year's Relay for Life. Laura and Theresa and Maja your visits uplifted me. Troy you were there when my diagnosis was confirmed, and got to see me first cry and then resolve to beat my AML. And you were there the day I received my transplant.  And, sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but I have the best neighbors in the world. Special thanks to the Stevens, Forsgrens, and  Shades families as well as Tom and Dianna. Thank you one and all. 

Uncle Lou, Uncle Dick and Aunt Muriel, Aunt Mary, cousins Lori, Beverly and Gregg. Cousin Deanna. Thanks so much for bringing a dose of levity and laughter at a time it was so needed. Aunt Melissa, thank you for the direct line to the convent!

Buddy, Sosa, Ginger, Bella, Winter and Jackson. My pets. Sorry mommy has been less available to you emotionally. I am working on it!

My extended family at MD Anderson for taking such good care of me. Mary Peterson, Stacey Heyduke, Deb Saleen, Nena, Margot, Noelle, Brian, Gulnar, Jessica, Kayla, Beth Chapman, Sarah, Sonia Juanita, and so many others helped me get THIS far.  Beth, Thank you for crying with me during that first biopsy. Thanks to Dr Slack at Mayo Clinic for getting me through transplant. Dr Ulrickson at MD Anderson for getting me to this point post transplant.  And Dr Klupelberg for getting me to transplant. 

I am sure I have forgotten many people. Know that I love and appreciate you all - whether you are named here or not. 

Vicious Cycle

Do I eat or not?  If I eat I have about a 50/50 chance of feeling like someone punched me in the stomach. So I do not eat. And then I am hungry.  Stressed. 

All I could eat for bfast today - 2 bites of a bisquit. The rest will get thrown out. =0(

Cannot wait for the 29th to come and go. Having doctor confirmation of my health will go a long way I am sure to minimize my anxiety and related physical symptoms. Like stomach upset.  

Dang! Am I Going to be Motion Sensitive Now?

That is going to suck!  My allergies are way worse and I get motion sick (nauseous). I love riding rollercoasters but wonder if those days are over given just driving to Canyon Lake makes me nauseous. Hope this is just a phase. 

Five More Shots Today

Hep B

Pneumonnia

Dtap

Polio

Flu???

One Year + One Day

Happy Easter!  And I am now 366 days post transplant.  Pic of me, my aunt and cousin. 

Annual Testing Complete

Thank God! So tired. Looking forward to that "all clear" from el doctor in a couple of weeks. 

Hands down the biopsy was the worst. It was actually probably the second most painful biopsy I have ever undergone. The easiest was my opthamologic exam today which showed my eyes are utterly normal. Stigmatisms and vision correction needs aside. =0)

Will You Want to "Meet" Me?

Now that I am one year post transplant and doing well, I can reach out to my donor to see if they are unterested in establishing direct contact with me. I hope so. But I also understand she may not be. Praying for a yes...

Test Day #2, One Year Post Transplant

So I survi ed the biopsy. As suspected I am more sore and the site itself is a bit numb. It is an odd sensation. Today is my second day of testing. The only pain will be the stick for the blood draw (smallest butterfly, please(. Otherwise it will likely just be a long day. Lab work, pulmonary (breathing) test, bone density ultrasound and an opthamologic check. 

Memories...or Lack Thereof

The twilight meds given to me on Monday...well, I realized yesterday that I didnt remember flipping back over onto my back post biopsy. Thats never happened before. I was awake the whole time and remember the blinding pain of them pushing hard w their fingertips to find the right place to drill. I remember the drilling and aspiration and bone chipping. The next thing I remember is my brother sotting in the chair across from me and thinking how utterly drained I felt. 

But I have never not remembered some aspect of a biopsy. Too bad I wasnt "away" for the biopsy itself. Mr.Chuck Harrison, being "under the influence" can be such a nicer alternative. 

Day One Testing, One Year Post Transplant, In Da Bag

The worst of the tests is complete. Thank God!  Home. Tired. Gonna be a little more sore than usual because they had a tough time numbung the bone. But I don't care. This test is done!  

Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go Now

Biopsy day - one year post transplant - has arrived. Did not sleep well last night. Super anxious. And I look like it. 

One Day...Until My Next BMB/A

4/19 is the official date of one year post transplant. Tomorrow, the 14th, I have a BMB/A scheduled to ensure I am still in remission. I believe the results are going to be good, but can't help but wonder "what if" - which is common, apparently. This is scary stuff for sure.  Praying, praying, praying. 

Relay For Life - 04/12/14

Got to spend time with my peeps from MD Anderson at the Relay for Life event on April 12 th.  These ladies helped me get where I am today and I am so thankful for each one!

Relay for Life, 4/12, Red Mountain High School

My friends at MD Anderson are sponsoring this event to begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday April 12th benefitting the American Cancer Society.  It is being held at Red Mountain High School in Mesa and will run until 7:00am Sunday April 13th. Come in out and help support funding research that will put an end to cancer.  

Still Sick

Think I might be turning that corner back to health tho. Got lots of sleep last night but still very tired. Gotta rest/rest/rest before the kids come home tomorrow.