2026 is just days away and I’m tempted to take a long deep breath. What a year it’s been. Our family accomplished something that back in January felt impossible. Like everyone else December was packed with holiday magic making while also managing some engraftment side effects.

Thanks to my 100% engraftment status(praise God) I’ve had to deal with a little bit of graft vs host (GVHD) of my skin and also my gut. Also due to my immunocompromised status a dormant BK virus has re-activated in my body and it’s been wrecking havoc on my bladder/urinary track. Sounds fun right? Merry Christmas

Last week I had day +60 labs drawn which check my engraftment status again. I am pleased to report I am STILL 100% engrafted. So far so good. 34 days to go before I graduate from stem cell outpatient clinic.

I’ve been experiencing a lot of introspection as this year is coming to a close. I’ve felt caught between two lands. The land of the sick and the land of the well. Suleika Jaouad calls it living between two kingdoms. I have one foot firmly placed in each land but I’m not fully in either of them. It’s complicated to feel a little emotionally homeless.

I can’t predict the upcoming year. I can just draft up big goals, big dreams and big hopes. I’m hoping for less disappointment and more JOY. Less confinement and more FREEDOM, less landlocked and more water 🙂 I want my family healthier- especially in a mental health stance. I want to start repairing rather than just barely surviving. God has given me a gift and I want to honor Him in it.

Here’s to 2026 friends.

thank you for being a part of my healing journey,

Danielle