Yea .... we have one week behind us! The clinic is not open on the weekends so we have a break as long as I am on an "out patient" basis. It is very gloomy here today. When the clinic is not open, the shuttle does not run so Jeff and I walked two miles (round trip) to Walgreens for our Saturday fun!! I wonder what tomorrow has in store for us??
My last Caringbridge update was before my bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture and skin biopsy. I was really dreading those tests!! Actually the procedures were not bad. I elected to have an IV sedation using a medicine that causes temporary amnesia. I had it once when in the hospital in Omaha. It is so amazing! I was awake through the procedures but very relaxed. Although they gave local anesthetic, I could still feel pain occasionally but I don't really remember the details. It's weird how that medicine works!
We have a full week next week!! I just pray that my tests come back with good results and we can move to transplant!!
That's all the news for now. I will let you know what happens next week.
Love to you all!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
We're here .... no more waiting!
Good morning!
It's Thursday morning, our third day in Seattle. I am so excited to be here, I've met with two of the doctors and I really like them. Not that liking them really matters, but it's nice to have doctors that you look forward to seeing.
Traveling here wasn't the easiest! We were supposed to leave Omaha at 12:40pm and arrive in Seattle at 5:35pm. We got to the airport early, got through security and was happily waiting at our gate when Jeff noticed the flight we were taking was not even listed on the "departure" board. We soon find out that due to mechanical reasons, our plane had been grounded. After several itinerary changes we were booked on a sold out flight to Phoenix hoping for the best. We made it to Seattle but our luggage didn't.
The first two days of appointments went well, I just feel that I am in the right hands. Every organ in my body will be checked prior to transplant. Although I am one of those people that "just really don't want to know", it is comforting to know that I am probably having one of best physicals I've ever had!
Today are a couple of biggies! I am having a bone marrow biopsy to make sure my cancer is still in remission. I will also have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to ensure that I do not have cancer cells in my spine. I will also get a skin biopsy. That is because I agreed to participate in MANY studies and one requires a skin biopsy. I'm glad to do it!! I am in Seattle today because of people participating in studies!!
Thank you for all of your prayers!! They are working! I feel strong and have peace of mind. Please continue to remember us in your prayers.
God bless you!
It's Thursday morning, our third day in Seattle. I am so excited to be here, I've met with two of the doctors and I really like them. Not that liking them really matters, but it's nice to have doctors that you look forward to seeing.
Traveling here wasn't the easiest! We were supposed to leave Omaha at 12:40pm and arrive in Seattle at 5:35pm. We got to the airport early, got through security and was happily waiting at our gate when Jeff noticed the flight we were taking was not even listed on the "departure" board. We soon find out that due to mechanical reasons, our plane had been grounded. After several itinerary changes we were booked on a sold out flight to Phoenix hoping for the best. We made it to Seattle but our luggage didn't.
The first two days of appointments went well, I just feel that I am in the right hands. Every organ in my body will be checked prior to transplant. Although I am one of those people that "just really don't want to know", it is comforting to know that I am probably having one of best physicals I've ever had!
Today are a couple of biggies! I am having a bone marrow biopsy to make sure my cancer is still in remission. I will also have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to ensure that I do not have cancer cells in my spine. I will also get a skin biopsy. That is because I agreed to participate in MANY studies and one requires a skin biopsy. I'm glad to do it!! I am in Seattle today because of people participating in studies!!
Thank you for all of your prayers!! They are working! I feel strong and have peace of mind. Please continue to remember us in your prayers.
God bless you!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Seattle's Right Around the Corner
Hi everyone!
Today is Thursday, Jeff and I leave on Monday, 1/23, for Seattle!! I cannot tell you how excited I am!! I really hope I can get the cord blood transplant...we will not know for sure until I actually get to Seattle and more testing is done.
It is in God's hands and I'm just along for the ride!! :-) God willing, I hope the transplant is a success and I can start helping others. Today was so rewarding for me because Ashley, Jeff and I helped at a local bone marrow drive and I was asked to "say a few words." There ARE NOT words to express how this experience touched me. I was expressing the need for bone marrow donors...not for me but to help other people like me!! According to my plan, and hopefully God's, this was only the beginning!
Please keep my family in your prayers. I am hopeful 2012 will be our year to reach out to others in need like so many of you have helped me.
God bless you, I love you all!!
Today is Thursday, Jeff and I leave on Monday, 1/23, for Seattle!! I cannot tell you how excited I am!! I really hope I can get the cord blood transplant...we will not know for sure until I actually get to Seattle and more testing is done.
It is in God's hands and I'm just along for the ride!! :-) God willing, I hope the transplant is a success and I can start helping others. Today was so rewarding for me because Ashley, Jeff and I helped at a local bone marrow drive and I was asked to "say a few words." There ARE NOT words to express how this experience touched me. I was expressing the need for bone marrow donors...not for me but to help other people like me!! According to my plan, and hopefully God's, this was only the beginning!
Please keep my family in your prayers. I am hopeful 2012 will be our year to reach out to others in need like so many of you have helped me.
God bless you, I love you all!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Happy Holidays!
I can't believe Christmas has come and gone! We had a wonderful Christmas .... our family was all together which was a great gift.
I have some news to share; however, I do so cautiously because in the past, we've experienced a few bumps in the road that have slowed/stopped progress.
My donor search coordinator has worked diligently and found cord blood units that are considered a safe match for me. I was actually told that getting a transplant was probably not an option for me, so we starting looking for other avenues to keep my aggressive form of leukemia in remission. I was all set to take part in a clinical trial and had an appointment on 1/23.
Our prayers are getting answered! The search coordinator notified us that cords have been found that are considered safe with my antibodies. My appointment is now on 1/24 to start the transplant procedure!! I really need your prayers more than ever now!!
PLEASE pray that I stay healthy until my appointment time. Also I need prayer that the cord units will be safe and my body will accept the cells as my own. This is my opportunity to be cured!!
One more thing ... my insurance will change to a different company effective 1/1/12. I'm not sure what effects this will have, please pray this will be an easy transition and that Seattle will remain "in network".
God bless you all.
I have some news to share; however, I do so cautiously because in the past, we've experienced a few bumps in the road that have slowed/stopped progress.
My donor search coordinator has worked diligently and found cord blood units that are considered a safe match for me. I was actually told that getting a transplant was probably not an option for me, so we starting looking for other avenues to keep my aggressive form of leukemia in remission. I was all set to take part in a clinical trial and had an appointment on 1/23.
Our prayers are getting answered! The search coordinator notified us that cords have been found that are considered safe with my antibodies. My appointment is now on 1/24 to start the transplant procedure!! I really need your prayers more than ever now!!
PLEASE pray that I stay healthy until my appointment time. Also I need prayer that the cord units will be safe and my body will accept the cells as my own. This is my opportunity to be cured!!
One more thing ... my insurance will change to a different company effective 1/1/12. I'm not sure what effects this will have, please pray this will be an easy transition and that Seattle will remain "in network".
God bless you all.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Hi all .... I hope this update finds you well!! Not much going on in Omaha right now .... still just waiting for my donor to be found. My counts have recovered some so I'm not so weak.
I wanted to thank all of you for coming out to register for the bone marrow registry. You have NO idea how much that means to me .... one of you could give me the gift of life!!!
There were two drives and they were both very successful!! There are now approximately 450 new potential donors!! That is awesome! If you didn't make it to one of the drives, you can still sign up to be a donor at bethematch.org. A kit is sent directly to your house, you simply swab your cheeks and return in the envelope provided. There is an age restriction (18-60) ... because of this we actually turned many people away so the number registered at the drives would have been even higher.
Please remember my family and me in your prayers. In addition to the prayers for a donor, it is important that I stay well until a donor can be found.
I have great news that isn't health related!! My youngest daughter, Ashley, is moving back to Omaha!! She will actually be back before Thanksgiving! I have a lot to be thankful for!!
Thanks for your support and concern!! God bless you!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Donor Drives this Weekend
Last week over 250 people joined the registry! Let's keep it going this weekend :) Please come to one of the donor drives and potentially save my life or someone's life! Join Be the Match
Omaha, NE:
Sunday, November 6, 2011
10am–1:30pm
4814 Oaks Lane (between 120th and 132nd at old “L” street), Omaha, NE
San Francisco, CA:
Saturday, November 5, 2011
St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center
9am–12pm
1111 Gough St.
**this is also a Team in Training event, Leukemia Lymphoma Society**
http://www.teamintraining.org/sf/firsttimehere/info
Monday, October 24, 2011
My Interview/ Bone Marrow Drive Details
Hi everyone,
Check out my interview from last night (Interview with Julie Cornell).
We have exciting news—2 bone marrow drives are coming up. The first drive is this Sunday from 12–4pm, honoring a 7 yr old boy, Isaac Barchus, who has an extremely rare disease. He is 1/9 people in the WORLD diagnosed with Candle Syndrome and soon will be undergoing a transplant (Isaac's Story). The second drive is the following Sunday from 10am–1:30pm honoring me. Details are below.
October 30, 2011
Countryside Community Church
12–4pm
8787 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE
November 6, 2011
Faith-Westwood United Methodist Church
10am–1:30pm
4814 Oaks Lane (between 120th and 132nd at old “L” street), Omaha, NE
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