I know the title’s a bit abrupt. It will probably jolt Joel; I know he doesn’t like the “C” word. I usually say I was sick or ill, but today is a cancer-based day for me. I have labs this morning and I’m going to a cancer group at the Christ Fellowship Royal Palm location for the first time tonight. I’m a tad nervous since it’s my first time ; I don’t know what to expect, but the two members I’ve talked to have been very nice. I’m going more to see if I can help others, which will hopefully help me in return. In Tampa, I really felt the need to do something. With my previous cancer, I think I focused on trying to go on and put it behind me. I know it’s what Joel really wanted to do, and I completely understand the sentiment. This time I don’t want to do that. I’ve been through so much and I’ve learned so much that there’s a desire, a need to share with others who don’t know what they’re facing or don’t know if what’s happening is “normal.” I had a lot of questions and really no one to talk to. Much like my last cancer, I always seemed to be further along than the people I talked to and/or befriended. Plus, going on-line is NOT a good idea. Mom and Joel read up on ALL and I only read one paragraph on-line during my whole ordeal. Why? Well, after one paragraph, I was basically dead, so I was done with that. The information on-line is worst case and dark and not completely accurate. For instance, my bone marrow transplant was nothing like what it said it would be on-line. I just had a bag of stem cells from my donor transferred through my Hickman similar to a blood or platelet transfusion. It was basically painless and quick in my case – although I did vomit 
but that was probably more from nerves. On-line the BMT is described as a frightening experience where 10 needles are placed in the patient’s bone in various places on the body in order to receive the stem cells. This also happens to the donor prior to the transplant. However, this is what happens if you are a child whose bones have yet to mature. My donor had to receive shots to increase his white blood cell production and then he went through something similar to dialysis. He gave blood that was filtered and then what wasn’t needed was returned to him. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s closer to donating blood than having 10 needles stuck in you. So, my point is that information on-line is not necessarily valid. Do you know where I read that paragraph? The American Cancer Society. It wasn’t Joe Bob’s Cancer Extravaganza page, but a reputable location. This is part of the reason why I blog. It’s the honest truth and if someone wants to really read about the experience, he or she can. In fact, a caretaker of a Moffitt patient currently in the hospital found my blog and has been “stalking” me as she put it – not really. However, she finally decided to contact me directly and I told them to ask me anything and email me anytime.
The oncologist’s office was extremely busy since my doctor was out on vacation last week. We ended up sitting around for a while, but in the end, the visit was uneventful, which is a good thing. My blood counts are about the same as last week. My white blood cells and platelets are up a little and my hemoglobin is down a little. I’m still not in the “normal” range but I’ll eventually get there. It will just take time – may be a lot of time – we’ll see.
Tonight, as I said before, I’m going to the cancer support group at Christ Fellowship, so I’ll post anything interesting and/or the highlights tonight or tomorrow.
Thank you to those who continue to pray for my health and for my family. I may be home, but I’m still far from done so your prayers are appreciated.
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I go to Christ Fellowship in Royal Palm . i go to the Saturday night services
Good for you and I agree what you are doing is great! You are an inspiration for others.
go on and be a witness girl!!!
You are being blessed to be a blessing, you will continue to be blessed as you encourage others:)
1 Corinthians 3:5 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God
You are a blessing. More than you know. What a great thing to be available to others in such a sensitive and intimate way. I really feel that we do benefit went we share as you said. It isn't easy and for that I applaud you. I will continue to remember you in prayer. Keep doing what you are doing!