My prayers go out to many others today. First my uncle Keith got into a bad car accident yesterday and is in the hospital. I hope he recovers quickly and my thoughts are with him and my aunt Linda. Thank god he is still alive.
Secondly my prayers go to the Coco's today. Alese Coco passed away yesterday and I can't imagine how awful they must feel. I have often thought about how hard it must be on parents who witness their children go through major illness. I count my blessings that my kids are healthy. The Coco's are very spiritual and I hope they are getting comfort from their family, community, and faith.
My medical status seems so trivial compared to what others are going through. I am thankful to be alive, out of the hospital, and with my family.
A journal to keep everyone up to date with my Primary Refractory Hodgkin’s, radiation myelitis, and the little Z’s.
Followers
A QUICK TIMELINE
2006
January
Conceived our third child
Began to display symptoms of Hodgkin's - night sweats, itching, swelling, shortness of breath
March
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's and began 6 cycles of ABVD
Pregnant with cancer - what luck
August
Delivered Alex on August 28
PET Scan on August 31 - results that the ABVD did not reduce my tumor
re-diagnosed with Primary Refractory Hodgkin's
September
Consultation with NIH and Hopkins - recommended that I have 2 cycles of ICE then Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).
October
PET Scan results that I could get the SCT
November
Had another cycle of ICE while waiting for transplant (3rd) Began SCT process
December
Final cycle (4th) of ICE
Unable to mobilize stem cells and waiting for bone marrow harvest
2007
January
Harvest bone marrow from bones under twilight meds Admitted into hospital for SCT; new birthday Jan. 16
February
Released from hospital - 2 days later back with VOD
Final release on Feb. 14 (happy v-day)
April - May
Radiation treatments
June
PET scan to see if treatment & SCT worked - it did and I am cancer free!
July
Hospitalized for pneumonia and missed Charlotte Marie's 4th bday.
On oxygen support
August
Alex's first birthday - can you believe it!
September
Returned to work part time
Lee started kindergarten
October
Diagnosed with BOOP - out of work again
Back on oxygen support and steroids
Resigned from job to focus on health
2008
Jan.
1 year anniversary of SCT - still cancer free
April
Diagnosed with radiation myelitis
July/August
Lost moblity in lower extremities - wheelchair bound.
Using Avastin to try to stop progression of myelitis to my arms and hands
January
Conceived our third child
Began to display symptoms of Hodgkin's - night sweats, itching, swelling, shortness of breath
March
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's and began 6 cycles of ABVD
Pregnant with cancer - what luck
August
Delivered Alex on August 28
PET Scan on August 31 - results that the ABVD did not reduce my tumor
re-diagnosed with Primary Refractory Hodgkin's
September
Consultation with NIH and Hopkins - recommended that I have 2 cycles of ICE then Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).
October
PET Scan results that I could get the SCT
November
Had another cycle of ICE while waiting for transplant (3rd) Began SCT process
December
Final cycle (4th) of ICE
Unable to mobilize stem cells and waiting for bone marrow harvest
2007
January
Harvest bone marrow from bones under twilight meds Admitted into hospital for SCT; new birthday Jan. 16
February
Released from hospital - 2 days later back with VOD
Final release on Feb. 14 (happy v-day)
April - May
Radiation treatments
June
PET scan to see if treatment & SCT worked - it did and I am cancer free!
July
Hospitalized for pneumonia and missed Charlotte Marie's 4th bday.
On oxygen support
August
Alex's first birthday - can you believe it!
September
Returned to work part time
Lee started kindergarten
October
Diagnosed with BOOP - out of work again
Back on oxygen support and steroids
Resigned from job to focus on health
2008
Jan.
1 year anniversary of SCT - still cancer free
April
Diagnosed with radiation myelitis
July/August
Lost moblity in lower extremities - wheelchair bound.
Using Avastin to try to stop progression of myelitis to my arms and hands
Good Links
Maple
2 comments:
Heather, I was very sorry to hear about your Uncle Keith's accident. I know how important he is to you and, of course, your Aunt Linda, your dad, and his whole family.
Dan and I send your uncle our thoughts and prayers for a quick and full recovery, please let him know we are thinking of him.
I'm also sorry to hear about Alese Coco. I know many people have followed Alese's struggle.
I'm sure her family will get comfort through their faith, love and support of her family. She was a brave young woman.
It's times like these that we all have to count our blessings, and be thankful for each and every day we are given, make the most them and the love we have from our families.
Hi Heather. Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your uncle and I pray that he has a speedy and thorough recovery.
In learning of your diagnosis, not so long ago, I became engrossed in reading about your journey as well as visiting and becoming almost equally mesmerized by Alese's battle. I prayed for Alese on Monday, when she passed and then I prayed for you and your family, that your mother and father will never know the anguish that Alese's parents are feeling right now. Your strength and positive outlook continues to amaze me and, most of all, humble me.
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