This is real life. A great story.: August 2012

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, August 9, 2012

shoeew

Wearing her mama's shoes

Sleeping with pawpaw

She helps her mom by rubbing lotion on her feet

She gets money for helping.

On the top of Stone Mountain with Her Aunt Anna

She loves her pink shoes

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Heather is at Emory

(An update from Jonathan)

Heather came to the hospital at Emory this morning. She came for pain (in her hip, back and neck) and other symptoms, but they found that she has a perforated bowel.

The surgeons don't want to do surgery on it yet. The docs are giving her antibiotics to see if that "clears up" anything, and they will access her for 24-48 hours before they make a decision to operate or not.

Also, they are concerned about her nervous system. They will do a spinal tap sometime soon to see if she has Leukemia in her spinal fluid / brain, or to see if there is any other nervous issue.

And the doc just old us that there is some Pneumonic evidence at the base of her lungs.

So we are waiting, and praying, and hoping that the docs make wise decisions and take care of her...

(I know lots of people want to show their support, but please don't drop by without calling Heather's mom or myself... and please don't call Heather's cell more than once. She probably won't answer... and most likely won't listen to voicemails for a few days. If you want updates or want to send her "well wishes", please text her or call/text/email me [jonathan_cape@yahoo.com]. And you can check facebook for periodic updates. Thanks for your help with this, because Heather needs her rest, and needs to be in a germ-free environment.)