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.

Friday, March 11, 2011

On to the transplant

Me and my Dad
Hey, you want to go to a party?
                    We had a great and very sad week. We went my cousins, little girl's 1st birthday party, and had a great time seeing family. So for the record, she would be my 1st cousin once removed and Evalyn's 2nd cousin.  Evalyn was a ham in the car and was posing for pictures. We heard that day that my grandmother, Nanny, was not doing well, and we all knew that she would be passing away soon.
My cousin and me!
                    I spent two days at Emory this week for more tests and signing consents. I had some pretty bad back pain one day after the LP but thank goodness that feels better.  It was pretty rough but when I saw that earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan today, I was more thankful for the hospital then mad about the wait. I met a lady that seemed to be around my age and she is also having a BMT at the same time I will be having one. We exchanged numbers and will stay in touch. It's not good that others have this disease but it is nice to not be alone.  Dr. Khoury said that all the tests that I have done for my lungs, heart, brain, etc have come out great and that I'm in complete remission. I have to be in complete remission in order to have the bone marrow transplant. The tiny bit they can still detect with be killed by whole body radiation and more chemo. He also took me off most of my meds for the next couple of weeks, yea!  Let's get this over with.
                 Yesterday, my Nanny passed away. Although it is very sad, we are glad that she is no longer in pain. I'm going to write more about how wonderful she is after the funeral this weekend. I want her to have her own page on my blog :)
Cousins and 2nd cousins and cousins once removed, ha ha
sometimes they just smile funny
                  I am very tired, but happy. I have been spending as much time with my family as I can and had so many appointments and trying to work, that writing this week has not been at the top of the list. It seems as though that I have some very interesting things, to me anyway, to write about. I guess I'll have 30 days in the hospital to write all I want. You might want to get off this email list while you still can! :)
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Heather, thinking of you as you go tomorrow. The best of care will be given to you. Our family is praying for you and your family.

    charmaine marlow

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