We Have Contact!

I just received contact information for my donor!   I am beyond excited at the possibility of getting to know more about each other.  I hope she is as interested in doing so as I.  That she consented to provide her contact information says she might be.  Thank you JESUS for making this possible!!!  And to the beautiful soul whose donation enables me to continue to be a part of my kids lives... DANKE SCHON!!  <3

Feliz Quatro de Mayo

My daughter and I on this day, as good an excuse to eat yummy Mexican food as any!  A Girl Scouts meeting scheduled for May 5th meant we had to "celebrate" a day early. 

Thank you, my sweet donor, for making this possible. Always in my thanks and prayers...

D

Happy Two Year Birthday, Dianne 2.0!

It doesn't FEEL like it has been two years since I received a second chance for life. Two years ago today, I received my stem cell transplant...six months after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I feel good!  Not a day goes by that I am not grateful. So much change!  

I have experienced minor GVH over the last two years and was hospitalized last summer for pneumonia, but have had a relatively uneventful recovery. I have lost 70 lbs. My taste buds have returned after being on hiatus for about nine out of the last 12 months. I truly eat to live today, there is no "wow" no matter what I eat but I am fine with that. My hair grows, thins and regrows about every six weeks. I sometimes feel as if I am going through puberty all over again when my face breaks out...weird since my skin is very dry now. I have been beyond post menopausal for over a year now. My eyes, at times water all day long. My allergies are worse. I do not have the stamina I once had but little stops me when I want to do something. I tire more easily. I have gotten to spend a lot of quality time with my kids over the last two years and that I wouldn't trade for the world. My daughter tells me she does and doesn't want me to go back to work.  She likes having me at home.  There are a lot of things and people I do not remember from that first 18 months following diagnosis. I feel bad when someone remembers me but I do not remember them. Hopefully they'll accept my 'chemo brain' excuse, it is real!  =0).  

Thank you, Jesus, for healing my body and making Dianne 2.0 possible. Through You all things are possible!  I am in awe.  Thank you for bringing the collection of people you did into my life to get me to this point, and for removing those whose influence were either no longer necessary or just not positive.  To my donor, with whom I may now have an opportunity for direct contact, THANK YOU for your gift. You have made a difference in my health and life. My kids still have their mom, and my parents and brother still have their daughter and sister. I will forever be grateful to you. To my friends and family, you helped me weather the ups and downs this journey has had, cheered me up and kept me sane. To my doctors and nurses at MD Anderson, Banner Gateway and Mayo Clinic, your expertise and skill got me to now. Mary, Beth, Stacey, Deb, Mark, Brian, Gulnar, Kayla, Nena, Margo, Jennifer and Drs Slack and Ulrickson...THANK YOU. 

Happy rebirthday to me!

My Buds Are Back!

It has been close to a year since my taste buds went on hiatus, but they are making a return. Hooray!  This means I can better taste what I try to eat and that, in some cases, the food tastes close to what I remember. Being able to taste is important when it comes to making meals, ensuring foods are palatable and not over/under seasoned. I still do not like chicken, eggs, or butter. I used to live on chicken and loved eggs. I still dislike most fast or processed foods or sweets (including chocolate, bummer!). Love strawberries and oranges. Like bananas and many other fruits. And most vegetables. Pretzel crisps. And my faux bacon (protein strips). Fish, shellfish and some beef.  Tolerate milk, pasta, rice, potatoes and bread. 

Now maybe my hair and skin issues will clear up!  

Before, +1 and +2 Years Post Diagnosis

It is taking longer than I would like but my hair is finally getting longer!  I am so grateful to still be here with my kids and family...

Taken 3 weeks prior to diagnosis. 

Taken 1 year post diagnosis. Six months post transplant. Hair is making a comeback!

Taken 2 years post diagnosis. More hair, less weight. Nineteen months post transplant. Feeling more like me!

Two Years Ago...

...I was admitted to the hospital and a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia was confirmed. Fifty-five pounds lighter, 19 months post transplant, divorced and feeling more like myself mentally, I am doing well. I am so grateful. For many things. To God for healing my body and mind and for the absolute stubbornness I in part attribute some of my success to. To my family and friends for being my rock as I have traveled this path. I cannot imagine what this road has been like for my children, who can only now sift through their feelings now that I am no longer sick. You were the reason I fought so hard. For the fantastic team of doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and specialists at both MD Anderson and Mayo. For the insurance my former employer had that, via COBRA, allowed me to be treated. To my pets for still loving me even when for so long I couldn't give you any "momma time."  When given the opportunity, you still curl up with me. 

For those of you just beginning this journey, FIGHT!  With all that you have and are. SHARE how you are feeling on the inside as well as physically.  No, most of your family and friends won't know how you feel but they love you and want to help...even if only to empathize. Be as PATIENT as you can - with your body as it copes with treatment and tries to heal, and with those around you who only want to help but feel powerless. ADVOCATE for yourself or have a trusted family member or friend do so on your behalf. If something doesn't look or feel right, tell someone. Tell everyone until you are satisfied. Be NICE to your medical team. Aside from your family/friends, they can advocate for you and will bend over backwards to make you feel more comfortable during the process...they likely have seen it all.  TRUST and have faith in God. Pray and listen to Him. Follow medical advice. Keep fighting. You CAN do this. LIVE!

Who Knew?

As I met T for lunch the other day, I ran into a woman I met that I worked with at Apollo - Christine Vu - who shared she followed my progress on my blog. Of course that made me feel good because over time the number of people you interact with with any frequency - that you know care about you - decreases. We all have our own lives. It happens and there is nothing wrong with it. 

I just wanted to acknowledge and thank those of you that care and still follow me, though we might not be in touch often, on this journey. Thank you!