Fourteen Months Post Transplant

More good news...I only have to have blood tests every month now instead of every week, and only have to see my oncologist every 3 months rather than every month! Things are stable...

Wonder Woman!

Last week I had a total hip replacement because my left hip had degenerated due to acascular neucroasis (from Prednisone use and from chemo). Once the left hip heals, I need to have the right hip replaced also. I can get a card from TSA allowing me to go through security at airports without too much hassle (I have a metal prosthesis). Right now I am using a walker to get around and am going through Physical Therapy. It hasn't been too much fun.

9 1/2 Months Post Transplant

Some good news...

I drove for the first time in 18 months last night. I did really well too!

My hair is now 1 1/2 inches long and really, really curly and easy to take care of.

Sean, Corrie and the girls (Jenna - 5 , Sophie - 3 , and Rachel - 3 months) are arriving here this evening to stay for a week until they can move into their new home in Colorado Springs. They are moving from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA , back to 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson. Sean enjoyed grad school and did really, really well.

P.S. I'm on Face Book now.

Seven Months Post Transplant --- Good News!

I had another routine appointment with my oncologist last week. My doctor gave me quite a bit of good news! All my blood counts are stable and getting stronger. I'm allowed to drive again, (I haven't driven for 15 months), fly again, I don't have to wear a mask when I'm in large crowds or at the hospital, I'm in the window now where it is less and less likely that the Epstein Barr Virus will return and trigger another occurrence of lymphoma, and at 18 months to 2 years post transplant, the doctor will start using the "cure" word!

Also, he gave me permission to go back to work. I have an interview tomorrow at Fuller Seminary where I worked before I got sick. My previous position opened up again (with some additional responsibilities in marketing). The work atmosphere at Fuller is absolutely wonderful, and I love to be around students. (I graduated from Fuller Seminary in 2006 with a Master of Arts in Theology.)

All of this good news is pretty amazing considering twice last year the doctor didn't think that I would live. Thanks to all of you who prayed for my recovery. God is good!

P.S. My hair is coming back...curly!

The New Normal

I've been home from the hospital for 2 months today and getting stronger every day. I can walk with a cane now rather than using a walker. I can take a shower by myself, help Jim with a few of the household chores (dusting, setting the table). I don't need a nap everyday, or Jim's help in the bathroom. My occupational therapist (OT) had me playing balance games using Wii Fit, which was a lot of fun, and my physical therapist (PT) had me walk unassisted (no cane) and bat a balloon in the air as I walked around the house.

I've been doing OK emotionally, but I really miss my family. Sean, Corrie and the girls (all three of them including a third granddaughter who is due Feb 4!) will be stationed back at Fort Carson this summer once Sean finishes grad school. Having them so close to us will be a huge blessing. I also miss my parents and siblings. Three out of five siblings and their kids celebrated my parents' birthdays this past week at my parents' new house in TN. Dad turned the big "8-0" and mom turned 77. (We would have been there too, but I can't travel yet, especially on an airplane, because I am immune compromised.)

I shouldn't be too sad because Jim's brother and wife will be spending two nights with us this week, and our daughter Anna will be coming to live with us (to escape an abusive relationship). It will be different having an adult child back at home, and both Jim and I are a little anxious since we've had an empty nest for fourteen years. But Anna needs a safe place to live for now and needs the opportunity to get some counseling.

I really miss my job at Fuller Theological Seminary too. The work environment was so refreshing and I love to be around students. I think I may audit a course next quarter. One of the perks of being a graduate is being able to audit a course at no cost. (All my cognitive skills including short term memory and mentation have returned - thank God!).

So, this is the new normal for me, and I'm not sure that I like it, but it beats the alternative.