Happy New Year!

The dawn of a new year allows me time to reflect on the whirl wind of a year 2014 was for me. Full of emotional ups and downs. Last Christmas (2013) and New Year was extremely enjoyable, but also tenuous in that I knew I still had the remainder of my gentle pre-chemo treatments and the stem cell transplant ahead of me. I spent the majority of the days during the holiday of 2013 at MD Anderson receiving chemo and blood transfusions, as my blood was getting sicker and sicker due to the deterioration of my bone marrow. My energy was slowly getting zapped, but I was fortunate that I never had incapacitating symptoms. And best of all for the most part I was able to maintain an unexplainable sense of peace about everything that lied ahead. The only way I can explain this is that through all the people praying for me and my own prayers, the Holy Spirit filled me with that sense of peace. I didn't know how things would end up and still don't know. But in reality none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. And the most positive thing about this illness is that I am reminded daily to take each day as a gift and try to make the most of it. Not by what I accomplish, but how I respond to each little detail or incident that fills my day.

This Christmas 2014 was another beautiful holiday and I am so extremely blessed that I have felt so good. The stem cell transplant is behind me. I wasn't even taking my maintenance chemo during the holidays because the doctor has put a hold on the chemo until I can get this infection growing in my lungs cleared up. The chemo pulls my white blood count down and suppresses my immune system making it even harder for my body to fight infections. I did get a fever the week before Christmas, but it turned out to only be a cold bug and I got over the fever quickly and am slowly getting over a nagging cough.

I had my tenth bone marrow biopsy on Monday the 29th. What a joy those are....(NOT)!!!But unfortunately they are the only way the doctor's can tell how my bone marrow is doing as a result of the stem cell transplant. My doctor informed me that I will likely be receiving bone marrow biopsies every two to three months for the near future. The results of the biopsy should be coming in over the next two weeks.

I am hoping that your New Year is bright and that you all can keep the light shining for all those who are having difficult times emotionally, spiritually and physically this holiday season!