Anniversary of "Day 100"

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since we were finishing up the 100 day stay in Omaha. A year ago yesterday, I was finishing up 2 days of testing and waiting for Dr Vose to give me her blessing. But more importantly, to tell us what we had all been praying for – that I was still in remission and the transplant was working. The anniversary of the day that I thought would never come, the day that I kept my eyes set on, the day that would symbolize my freedom. Freedom from treatments, freedom from daily doctor visits, freedom from my PICC line, freedom from cancer. For a week I've been trying to think of what I could blog- why this feels like such a landmark. Every night I’ve sat down to try and write, but nothing. I’ve prayed for something insightful, something inspirational… Nothing. Then last night I was at a charity dinner and a lady walked up, introduced herself, and asked how I was. She didn’t know much of my story, but said that she recognized my name from the adoration chapel at church and had prayed for me last year. What a blessing to have the opportunity to thank her, to tell her how much the prayers had helped (esp in my darkest times), and recount the miraculous journey. On the way home it dawned on me, when I think about “Day 100,” it reminds me how all of you, and so many others, have been by my side, praying at 7 and 10, sending messages; how God puts people in our lives to support us; how we’re never alone and He never abandons. Day 100 was a victory for all of us – we had made it. For 9 months, that had been our focus and goal. Obviously there have been many struggles in the past year and in some ways, 2011 has been harder than 2010, but Day 100 will always be a good reminder of how blessed I have been to have you by my side. Thank you!

September already!

Well, this week is a good example on how the best intentions don't always happen. Every night last week I planned to post an entry to the blog, but as you can see, I didn't manage to get that done. Oops. I survived Labor Day – my first weekend out of town this summer. We went to the farm and I was able to see a lot of family that I haven't seen in a long time. Even got to ride horses with Lisa on Sunday – wasn't sure that I'd be strong enough, but I'd have to say that it went rather well. My endurance is starting to pick up so my next goal is to play volleyball this fall. I'm sure it will be ugly, but I have to start somewhere! Next week I can get my 2nd round of immunizations which is great since flu season is quickly approaching and I hope to avoid all the crud. Hard to believe that a year ago I was fighting headaches and a myriad of other problems while counting down the days until I'd be able to leave Omaha. Now I'm looking at deadlines for volleyball leagues and hoping to get grass seed planted before it's too late! Not to mention, gearing up for football season! Pretty soon I'll be able to report on my first haircut. But I have to admit that it's kind of fun now because when people comment, I can tell them that God is my stylist.

"The Lord is my strength and my song..." ~Exodus 15:2

Trip to Omaha...

Before the holiday weekend, figured I'd send a quick update. Our trip to Omaha proved to be another successful day. My labs were better than I had expected – hemoglobin and platelets were almost in the normal range! Dr. Vose seemed pleased with my progress and decided that I didn't need the CT. (I'm not disappointed to have avoided that radiation). Another 3 months before I'll need to go back – maybe the flood waters will be down by then! I've felt ok as of late. Still a little bit of burning from the shingles and the stomach continues to have it's ups and downs, but nothing that's kept me from going to work and doing what I need to do. I pray that my endurance continues to improve. (slow and steady wins the race). Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend! As for me, I'll be spending it with family.

End of the tunnel

I think God has once again been merciful to me. I've heard from many people about how painful and awful shingles can be, but for me, it was more of a nuisance. Literally a “pain in the arse” :) There were about 3 nights when it was difficult to sleep and I had to be careful how I sat, but overall, they were tolerable. Once again, Village Peds proved to be a blessing as being at work seemed to help keep my mind off of it. It didn't spread down my leg and everything seems to be drying up now. I pray that it keeps progressing in that direction! I know that when kids get it, it's not as painful as it is in adults. So I guess that means even though I don't feel like it, I'm closer to pediatric than geriatric! Tuesday I head back to Omaha, hopefully everything will check out ok. I've been having a little bit of shortness of breath and fatigue, so probably won't make it out of Nebraska without a CT. Better safe than sorry. Other than that, the days continue to pass by – ups and downs, but the overall trend is definitely up. I hope everyone enjoys what's left of summer!

Maybe more red than green.

Seriously, you've got to be kidding. I just can't seem to be content with “boring” when it comes to my health. What started out as what I thought was a “sore bum” from PT has turned out to be shingles! Shingles, a nice red, blistery rash that started on my tail bone and has continued to progress south. So far it's only spread to my upper leg and I pray that it doesn't go any farther but the nerve track that's affected goes all the way down my leg so it could potentially affect the whole thing. It's only mildly uncomfortable, alternating between a slight burn/ache and a mild itch and again I pray that it stays that way because all I keep hearing is how painful shingles can become. Dr. Vose said that I needed to “immediately” start an anti-viral but I'm skeptical that it will help at this point since the symptoms started several days ago, but we'll give it a go and take 1 day at a time until we've cleared this hurdle. For now, I guess I'll be a good “teaching case” for everyone in my office.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding..” ~Proverbs 3:5

It's greener on my side!

Life is good around here. It's been busy at work as everyone is needing a physical before school starts. A few long days with short lunches, but it's been nice seeing old faces and catching up with patients that I haven't seen in a while. Last night some big storms rolled through KC and to no surprise I managed to sleep through them. When I was leaving for work I mumbled as I noticed some downed limbs in the yard (nothing large enough to need a saw) but a nuisance none the less. I didn't get more than a mile from my house when I started to feel bad about my mumblings – other neighborhoods looked like an ice storm had hit – trees down, fences gone, electricity out, roads blocked. One street was blocked not just with high line wires, but with all the high wire poles- laying like dominoes! Instead of being annoyed that my trees had once again littered my yard, I should have been thanking God that I still had trees. I guess that's probably pretty common. We get caught up in our own day-to-day, dwell on how “rough” we have it, and stop noticing what's going on around us. I've been praying lately that God would open my eyes to those in need, show me ways that I can share the love and mercy He's given me. I know that He provides all of us with opportunities to share and help if only we take the time to see.
10 more days before I head back to Omaha.
“Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.” ~Ephesians 5:15-17.

Day 420...

Lab results came back and thankfully they were boring! Platelets eeked by just above 100, Hemoglobin was a little bit higher, CMV and HPylori were both negative! I had my 1 month evaluation at PT and they seemed very pleased with my progress. They seemed equally impressed at how I manage to successfully accomplish tasks even though I'm not using the "correct" muscles (probably the reason for the large knots that I have in my shoulders - they've been there for longer than I can remember). In any case, the knots scored me a 15 minute massage in an attempt to get them to relax so that the correct muscles could try to work. I've never been so thankful for the knots :) A few of us went country dancing for the first time since I got sick and I was still able to make it around the floor (but have to admit that we didn't try anything too fancy). I still haven't tried to "run" - I think I'm a little afraid at what will happen, or rather, what won't happen! Maybe next week.
Otherwise, pretty status quo - lots of kids needing physicals has managed to keep us busy at work. Hard to believe that summer is almost over and a year ago I still had 6 weeks in Omaha! Oh, the fun I missed ;) Three more weeks before I go back to Omaha.
"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." ~Genesis 28:15