WELCOME

Hello,
Welcome to my Blog! Yes, I have been in the fight of my life against Leukemia, insomnia, depression, side effects of medications, molting skin, pooping my pants and this list goes on.... however, I still love my life, and that's what this blog is about Real Life. I hope to meet others who trails have brought them closer to the Lord and molded them for the next step in God's will. In January 2011 , my family, physician, and Be the Match was featured on a Fox 5 news story about bone marrow donors and transplants. In March, I was interviewed on Atlanta and Company along with Be the Match. I was chosen to sing the national anthem at the Be the Match Run last year and will also be doing it this year, along with some other songs. My team, no thanks to me, raised over $4,000 and raised more than any other team! Please join my team this year or consider donating here at the Run those Stem cells out ! Team I was also chosen for a patient advocacy panel for the international council meeting at Be the Match in MN in November. How exciting!! I ended up not being able to attend due to the relapse. I had hoped I could help raise awareness about how easy it is to sign up to be a donor and how many people need your help! Please go to bethematch.org and sign up! I was able to have my bone marrow (same as stem cell) transplant at the end of March thanks to a 22 year old donor oversees that I hope to meet her one day. As I came up on my 6th month mark and continued to add more normal activities to our lives, I relapsed, meaning that the that the cancer had mutated and the leukemia came back. I spent 2 more weeks at Emory and some other nights here and there and now I'm on a drug from the FDA. I have a compassion waiver so I am able to get it. I have to take it day by day sometimes hour by hour. Time keeps moving and my little girl is growing up. I'm lucky that I'm getting to see it. I continue to praise God for his wonderful blessings he has shown us including my wonderful husband Jonathan, baby girl Evalyn Rose, supportive family and friend, great medical care, new readers, and the chance to make a big difference, even if that means being a Lab Rat.
God Bless You!

Please read, comment, enjoy, learn, grow, LOVE LIFE.

Most Recently I have started a booth at a local consignment store with handmade jewelry from friends, crafts, and my own art from recycled materials. It is called DAY by DAY. God was very clear with me starting this. Please look over to the right of blog and click on Day by Day to see some pictures. I'm just getting started but I am taking orders from people that I know. You will be able to personalize items, etc. I just haven't decided how I will be selling them via internet yet. But for now, the jewelry is at A Weekend A'fair in Athens, GA and will hopefully be at some stores downtown soon.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Nov 17th 18th Dancing, Leaves, and Love


     On Wednesday, my brother Daniel was able to come see me for a couple hours. It is “No shave November” for him, so that is why he is so hairy. Funny…. I’m about to shave my entire head!  We were able to go into the museum, for free, and see some awesome exhibits from ancient Greece, the Roman empire, and the Central Andes.  We only got through the first part… so I’m going to go back later. We also had a great burger, took some pics, I threw some leaves (FLAG) , and danced. I wasn’t the only one that was dancing a little…. Just the only one with the moves. It was still early in the day for all these college students.

        I’ve always been able to appreciate the little things and get excited like a little kid, but now that is even more intense.  Those that know me best, know that I’m silly and I’m not really embarrassed by things, which can also be my down fall J When I got back to the room, I was so excited about everything I got to do, I mentioned that I threw some leaves up in the air because, hello, there were piles of leaves. RULES. I’m a pretty good patient for the most part. Yea, I can't floss either. They say I can’t garden for a long time, that is really going to bite. I know that I have a lot of people that will come over and plant my pansies in the spring and Jonathan will put mulch out for me and such, but will I really care about it as much if I can’t do it myself? I don’t know, we will see. My uncle Mike says I’m taking a year off the yard and I’m trying to think of it that way. I never liked being told I couldn't do something. I do have issues with authority at times. Don't worry, I'm trying to be good. I have a hand out of rules I have not looked at yet. I'm not ready.
                           Later in the day, I got a ton of mail from people in my neighborhood, family, friends, and the  best.... the people on my caseload. I have a stack of hand made cards that these wonderful people made me. It was pretty overwhelming to see that they miss me as much as I miss them. I'm going to hang them up tomorrow and will post some pics... they are so sweet. Sniff, sniff. 
                 It is really amazing to see how God is working in this situation. I can't believe everything that has happened in the last 18 days and what God can do if he can just get us still for a little while. Jonathan said that  he spoke to the local Be the Match chapter and they are going to do a drive soon and may feature our story. It would be wonderful if I could be a part of getting more people to sign up! Once again, I'm reminded that this is not about me..... tree in a forest, tree in a forest. 
                      I didn't feel very well today, so I didn't do hardly anything. I'm thankful that my mother in law come a brought me some yummy food. I'm so glad my sister came and hung out with me... we just watched a movie and talked. She is so sweet and brought me a cool hat! 
                      I'm having to accept the lack of energy and sign off for today.... but boy do I have a lot to say. Pray God gives me the filter I need. 

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