Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Over Due Post
Truthfully, It’s been a tough year with many emotional
swings. It has been difficult for me to
sit down and write this over-due post. I
had to get my head in the right place before attempting to update this blog.
First some good events:
Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion
I attended the Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion at City of Hope in May and celebrated my 8th year in remission.
Thank you everybody for your support through the years!!! Here are a few photos from the event.
Myself, Anna (NP) and Michelle
My lifesaving Doctor, Dr. Nakamura
A3M Gala Fundraising Dinner
Save the Date, October 4th. Go to a3mhope.org for tickets and supporter
information. Please seriously consider attending this event. It's A3M's one large fundraiser and you too, can make a difference!!!
Ann Gregory
My dear friend, Ann Gregory, whose blog link is on the side
of my blog under Ann’s Fight, has survived two marrow/stem cell transplants. She has been plagued with varying degrees of
Graft vs. Host Disease continuously but has endured everything thrown her way. And believe me when I say, she has had a lot on her plate!
I have been in contact with Ann over the past 7 years. Last October she made it to Los Angeles in an
eventful first meeting with her life-saving donor. I had the pleasure of spending several days
with Chris and Ann!
Shown here: Hung, Dana, Chris and Ann
Dana was Ann's lifesaver!!! She donated her marrow/stem cell over 5 years ago to save Ann's life. Need I remind you that Ann is of mixed heritage, English/Irish on her Father's side and Vietnamese/Chinese on her Mother's side. Dana, from Hawaii was not a perfect match but perfect enough to breathe life into Ann. Asians are under-represented in the marrow registry and mixed race donors are desperately needed! Please register to become a life-saving marrow/stem cell donor.
Visit a3mhope.org to find out how!
This year, my optimism and resolve was nearly shattered when
I learned that Ann had been diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma,
which required surgery, chemo and radiation. They removed
muscles in her neck, lymph nodes, part of her jugular vein to name a few. She has just completed six weeks of radiation
and chemo.
Please read her blog and send prayers her way.
Sheri Olmon
I have had the honor of just getting to know a fellow 15-year transplant survivor, Sheri Olmon. Her
family has been huge supporters of A3M for many years. This year, Sheri joined the A3M Fundraiser
Dinner Committee and I felt instantly very fond of her. I spent a wonderful day with her at the Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion at City of Hope last May.
In July, I was devastated to hear that Sheri was tragically
killed in a car accident. She was
driving in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. A Maserati drove into their lane. Sheri was killed and her husband and daughter
sustained non life-threatening injuries.
It has been especially hard for me to wrap my head around
this.
Knee Surgery
Two weeks ago, I underwent knee surgery for the
second time in as many years. My
meniscus was torn through and required surgical repair including stitches. A rather large cyst was removed, as well. My
doctor also felt that a procedure called PRP (platelet-rich plasma) would aid
in the healing. (Who would have thought that the very person who couldn't make platelets or obtain a platelet count within normal range would be using her own platelets for healing in other parts of her body? Miracles do happen.. I had pre-op lab work and for the first time since my illness began in 2002, I had a platelet count within normal range! Just in time!!!!! ) I will be sporting a lovely full leg splint
for a month, as I am not allowed to bend my knee. I can’t drive until the month is up on
September 10th.
All in all, this is just a blip in the big picture. I want it to heal completely so I can resume
life.
With Gratitude
Thank you for following in my journey. I really do appreciate all of you. I’m sorry it took me so long to post, but upon reading it, I’m sure you understand. You are all the wind beneath my wings. There's so much to be grateful for and I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life!
Thank you for following in my journey. I really do appreciate all of you. I’m sorry it took me so long to post, but upon reading it, I’m sure you understand. You are all the wind beneath my wings. There's so much to be grateful for and I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life!
Nancy
