Reimagining Resilience

Category: Chapter 4- Stem Cell Transplant

  • Day +100 and beyond

    On November 21 I hit day +100. I had my graduation OTU (outpatient transplant unit) clinic appointment and had my central line removed. Praise GOD I can take a normal shower!!!! I apologize for the delay in posting the update but that week was insanely busy with life. Grief, happiness, sadness and laughter, all just…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +87

    There’s nothing that can prepare you for the emotional toll that is cancer recovery, specifically stem cell recovery. The highs are blissful and the lows are so low that your greatest and deepest fears play out in your heart and mind. I posted yesterday from a very low place. The outpouring of prayer and support…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +72

    “If I can keep waiting well during my deepest pains, my perseverance produces character, my character produces hope. And the whole horrible, holy process produces change worth wanting”-Katherine Wolf There hasn’t been much to update because I feel as though I’m in stem cell limbo. My counts are low but not low enough to cause…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +50

    “Whoa, we’re half way thereWhoa oh, livin’ on a prayer” – Bon Jovi Never did my 19 year old self screaming these lyrics at Auburn football games and band parties think these words would mean to me what they do now. HALF WAY THERE FOLKS Some updates since my last post: I’ve been able to…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +34

    Hills and valleys. This weekend felt like a major win- I was able to visit with my children for the first time since the beginning of August. The visit was beautiful, emotional and precious. If you follow me on social media, I posted a video of the kids realizing I was at the park and…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +26

    This week’s recovery has been slow and steady; but GOOD. I’ve been able to maintain in the outpatient clinic. Right now, I’m going every other day. This is when they check my labs and supplement anything my body needs. This is also when I meet with my provider. On my off days, my mom and…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +19

    This week has been a roller coaster. It’s been a combination of some pretty high highs (my counts have started to recover) to some low lows (spending hours in the ED due to an infusion complication). Like most journeys, the path to the end is not a straight line and also like most people, I…

  • Captain’s Log: Day +11

    I’m in the thick of it. The weeds. Counts are zero. Hair is falling out again. My baby turned 3 and I had to watch on FaceTime. (“counts” refers to blood counts: How many red, white and platelet blood cells are in my body) I was re-admitted back to the hospital yesterday because I was…

  • Captain’s Log: Day 0 and +1

    Time to cut some cake and take a bite for me because yesterday we hit: DAY 0=TRANSPLANT DAY. I was called to be admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon and this is where I’ll be for the next 6 days. Though physically it was an anticlimactic moment, emotionally it was anything but. Stem cell transplant…

  • Captain’s Log Day -1

    I’ve been coming to the outpatient transplant unit (OTU) all week. I’ve noticed it’s been really easy to just want to turtle inward. I’ve had multiple chemo infusions in addition to starting several medications. I speak to several medical professionals a day. I want to keep my head down, do what needs to be done…