The last week has felt like a complete blur. I was re-admitted to the hospital on 11/10 for a fever and now am recovering from a cold. I was able to discharge after a couple of days, after we determined the source of my infection and my team felt confident I can manage symptoms at home. It’s completely humbling how such a small virus can wreck my body so intensely. We are watching it closely and I appreciate any prayer to help my body get over the hump.

In more fun news, my hair started falling out for the 3rd time since January 2024. This has to be some kind of record right? I’m not sure if I’m numbing my emotions about this or if I’m truly past caring. At this point it feels pretty comical. It’s officially colorful wig season.

Cullen and I celebrated 10 years of marriage this week with my trusty clinic crew. Who doesn’t want to spend their milestone anniversary in an outpatient clinic? We drank mocktails, listened to our wedding song and even got LAID. What a day. 🙂

Fears and anxieties are starting to rise as we approach day +30. Something I’ve been bringing to God in prayer (and my therapist) is how aggressive cancer is trying to be the center of my story. Yes cancer treatment is happening to our family but I have no desire to make it the center. Jesus is the center, then my family and then my own identity- as a friend, a mom, a wife, a sister and a daughter.

I’ve been trying to help my kid’s navigate the emotions they are feeling as they have a front row seat to transplant life. A drawback to my going through this transplant at home.

When I got home from the hospital this week I had each kiddo pick a pumpkin from the front porch and we had a pseudo group therapy session (I am a therapist after all) where we discussed all the reasons we were angry with cancer. Then I let them take that anger out on smashing a pumpkin. It’s important to me that my kids know they are allowed to feel these emotions and that cancer is happening TO us. It doesn’t define us.

The enemy doesn’t want me to see God’s kindness through all these weeds so I’m going to list a few..

–Not feeling alone or abandoned by God. This is a huge difference from what I felt this time last year.

–Jesus and women bible study– this study has been a huge blessing and is helping me mature in understanding Jesus.

–A husband who has been a loving, selfless caregiver. Who insists he still thinks my bald head is beautiful.

–Sunshine boxes that show up from North Carolina just when I need them ❤

–Meals given to our family

-Every single card, text or instagram interaction the let’s me know that you are in the fight with me.

-My mom and in-laws’ hands on help with my family this month.

–postcards from a friend with locations we are going to travel in 2026 🙂

I try to speak life every day to remember to keep Jesus in the center. The road to self pity is a slippery slope.

Upcoming Important Dates

11/24- Day +30

11/25- Bone marrow biopsy

11/28- PET scan

Thank you for being a part of my healing journey,

Danielle