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.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Medical Update 5/14 - True love is cleaning up poop splatter

We did have an incredible time at the Hostel in the Forest and Jekell Island so I wish I was blogging about that, and I will, you know I have to get all my pics and videos ready to share anyway. So while I'm setting here at the oncologist here in Athens getting fluids, I'm thinking about all this GVHD  stuff. First it was attacking my skin, that was the whole rash/fever/molting thing, then my eyes, and now my colon. GVHD is a good thing in a sense because it means my new immune system is still trying to take over and fight, but we have to keep it under control hence the steroids and all the other meds I'm on. It's nothing I do or don't do that causes it. One day I will really write out what all I have to do to and for myself and you will be amazed that I even have time to eat. Uggg, eating, doesn't sound good right now. Despite a new medication and the stop of the torrential out pour of diarrhea, it came back again Sat night. Yesterday was kinda a blur because we were just trying to make it home without having to change too many diapers, literally. I had to use Evalyn's diapers as huge pads just in case. Poor Jonathan had to drive the whole way, mostly in the rain, and then came home took care of Evalyn, did laundry, unpacked, and made sure I had something on my stomach and took my meds. I knew I was getting dehydrated because I didn't want to drink or eat too much and be even more sick. I didn't get anything tangible for Mother's Day but what is more important than to see our family on the beach together flying a kite, my little girl sliding down a slide by herself and wanting to help her mommy, and a husband who will go as far as cleaning the poop splatter off the toilet and not make a big deal about it. 

Now, I have to go see a GI doctor... I can't keep up, really, I can't. I have so many specialists and things I'm supposed to do, I would write myself up for medication or some type of error everyday. I don't know how people that are older than me, or alone, or not as determined, or stubborn as I. I guess that's why I decided to open the consignment shop this month instead of starting PT for my knees. I still have some control here. Thank God for all the people that are helping out. However, just lost my brother... he moved back home, he was my Wed man. Good news though, my cuz and Jonathan's cuz is coming to UGA in the fall and they both love Evalyn.... and the one thing college students need is food and a quiet place to study!
Pray that I can stay off the toilet and out of the hospital.

Beautiful Pics of our vacation to come!

Love,
Heather
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1 comment:

  1. judykeltyMay 14, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Glad you got to have some fun at Jekyll! Admire your courage and sense of humor, hang in there, you're in our prayers.

    ReplyDelete

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