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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

So what stage are you in?

       I don’t have much to say tonight but feel I need to update you all on some things to let you know I’m still kicking. Sorry for all the unreturned phone calls, I’m out of words right now. I’ll tell you my theory on that one day.  I’m working through some tough stuff right now and not ready to share that yet. Plus, I had some new chemo today and did well with it but my brain is fried. I woke up one night, not remember where I was and did my normal call to Wallace, my snuggle buddy, “Waaaallllllace, Waaalllace”, then I opened my eyes and relized where I was , well shit.
       I can’t tell you the curse words that have ran through my head or out of my mouth in the last couple days. Or the ripping of my heart when Evalyn was so depressed that I was not home after seeing me that she threw up, Wallace did the same thing last year at this time when I was first admitted. Evalyn missed some meals, and if you know this girl, she likes to eat!! The sadness I feel when I think that I was just beginning to rejoin society through volunteering with music, dance, yoga, trips, Nashville this weekend, weddings, concerts, 6 months away from gardening, going to the council meeting in MN, advocating more for Be the Match, enjoying watching Evalyn play with more children, etc, etc, it’s a big hit to take right now. Getting a Picc line again, starting over on medication that I was almost off of and not knowing the “plan” past the 28th of this month is nuts. The possibility of another stem cell transplant, ahhhhh.  Hmmm, grief, depression, denial, anger, acceptance…?????..... Haven’t I already been through these steps? Here goes round 3 (counting the first diagnosis when I was preggo).
                I’m still reminded of the kindness of people through finances, food, gifts, baby sitting, food, prayers, letters, words of encouragement on my page, scriptures that people have sent to me, the compassion of the nurses here, the people at Jonathan’s work supporting him with things that Evalyn needed and some gummy bears for him J, great visits from family and friends, and the list goes on and on. My cuz Andy spent most of the day with me, brought me lunch from Whole Foods (which I still won’t step into due to knowing I will walk out in debt).  We had a relaxing time. He is truly one of the few people I can spend all day with… I have not really made a list so don’t ask me if you are on it, it’s not you, it’s me.  I’m still a lucky girl, just an unhappy one right now… gotta get my head on straight. My farm friends…. I hope you are taking care of each other. I will be a doctor this year at the Halloween party since I have to wear my mask again.  Jim, stay off the roof, for goodness sake, but catch me some fish!

2 comments:

  1. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful brother. Andy is just easy to be around and he is so generous. :) I agree about Whole Foods, people call it Whole Paycheck for a reason. I have actually only been in there a few times and I don't want to tell you how much I spent the first time. I didn't even buy much. Good thing there isn't one near me!

    Love you cuz!

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  2. You are doing well Heather, keeping it real.

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