Even Still I Will Worship

I have officially completed the chemo phase as well as the transplant phase! I have been prepping for this transplant for so long that it is weird to think I am already this far into the process. Time has a way of going slow but very fast at the same time.

Chemo went better than expected and I believe this is in thanks to your many prayers! (Thank you!!) Most of the nurses and doctors who came in while I was in the hospital said that I was tolerating it very well. I had minimal side effects and really only felt ones I was already familiar with from previous chemotherapy treatments. They know what they are doing and keep you on top of meds to make sure of that as well. Being administered chemotherapy for 6 days back to back is a bit daunting. When the nurses are giving it to you, they are in full protection with a protective covering, masks, shields, double gloves, all while they are putting this poison in your body. The irony of that never really left me and it gets a little freaky. I wrote Deuteronomy 31:8 on the whiteboard I had in my room and prayed it over me with each treatment. It was a great way to remember that God is ahead of me and protecting me which really put me at ease.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

It’s a strange feeling really, the chemo went so well, but I have been told the worst is still yet to come. This should be when I hit my “Nader” period; meaning that all my blood counts and immunity should be at zero and my bone marrow is no longer producing. This typically happens about 3-5 days post transplant and Chemotherapy symptoms are usually at their worst . So there is a part of me that feels like I am standing on a rug that someone could pull out from under me at any point. Like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop or something. I tell myself, take it one day at a time and I am grateful for any good day I get!

The medical staff there were all top notch and I really am just thoroughly impressed with their knowledge and efficiency throughout this whole thing. They were timely to any need I had, and always were so friendly! There was one nurse in particular I established a connection with right away. She was awesome! I had her for the first three days I was there. She even requested to be my nurse when she came back for her next shift a couple days later, which is not something she typically does! I felt honored. She also helped assist with my transplant and gave me a certificate of completion. By this time, it was like we were old friends, cracking jokes, being sarcastic, and the like. It’s actually nurses week this week, and let me tell you…they deserve a LOT of kudos for the work they do. If you know or see a nurse, please thank them! (P.S I digitally altered the names on the below photos for privacy reasons)

So what’s next?

Well, now it’s just recovery! I am now discharged from the hospital and living nearby the hospital at an extended stay transplant friendly rental house. I have daily appointments for the foreseeable future. These appointments consist of things like checking my vitals, doing blood draws, checking my line, looking for infections, and going over any questions. The labs will indicate if I need anything more medically done that day, for example, if I am low on magnesium or need a blood transfusion. I did have a blood clot that formed around my central line (the big white catheter on my chest) so because of that, I get blood thinner shots to my stomach twice a day. Not so fun because I’m running out of unbruised areas, but thankfully the clot is clearing fine and I am feeling much better!

A heartfelt “Thank you”

As most of you might have seen by now, I lost my job this month and combined with the stem cell transplant, my family decided to post a GoFundMe page for me. I am absolutely blown away by the amount of people from all walks of my life who have donated. I truly don’t have words. I want to write you all personal thank you’s because it means so much to me. This is truly a blessing more than I can comprehend. With my lymphoma scare last week that delayed treatment, I ended up having to book an extra 9 days here near the hospital and it is such a blessing to have those funds available to be able to cover those unexpected costs. I have been praying every night that God blesses you all 7 fold for the blessings you have bestowed upon me. I can’t say “Thank you” enough!