Today is the 1 year anniversary for my transplant. A year ago today I really was in a fight for my life. I was determined to get better and return to a normalcy or as I said a carefree life in my post a year ago today. Since I have learned that there is no going back but just "keep moving forward" (to quote Meet the Robinsons). My life has been forever changed by this illness and in a good way. I don't take as much shit for granted, I still try to live in the moment and succeed some days, and I am learning to roll with the punches.
I am healthy today - okay just some minor lung stuff to wrap up - but really in such a better spot then before. Those bags of cells gave me back time to hang out with my kids, get to know Alex, and be with my family. A lot packed into some little bags and a drip.
So thank you god for giving me my life so I could have those lovely cells and allowing me another year to enjoy them.
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
3 comments:
You're my hero!
Happy Anniversary, Heather!
Here is a really great quote I enjoy reminding myself of every once in a while:
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
~Robert Breault
Wow I remember those days last January. Checking your blog was the first and last thing I did each day. We prayed so hard. Praise God for His healing and for this amazing year. Yes, it has been ridiculously hard, but like you implied, who cares about the hardships as long as you are here and can appreciate each day. I had a great talk with your sister yesterday, and it was fun to reflect on this time last year and just the whole 2007 in general. What a year. I have also been so much better about just appreciating each day. Now that I have Tyler, each day seems SO precious I can't even stand it. Anyhow, I am rambling ... it is the lack of sleep. Love you guys and congrats Heather. You rock. ~ Jessica
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