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Thursday August 9th, 2007
Hi, All is well here. Sorry for such a gap in information. We
had an enjoyable summer. We were able to get out of the heat and
go up north. We went camping at Woods Canyon Lake, Christopher
Creek and then up to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. At the
rim we were able to stay in a rustic cabin a short walk from the
edge. It was a very relaxing summer. Kevin was able to get his
"Man Cave" (garage) organized and painted. The summer went by
too quickly now to get ready for another school year.
I was released to
go back to work and will be starting this year out at Pioneer
Elementary working part-time. Pioneer is right down the street
from where Megan and Aaron go to school so it will be a
convenient location. I've had a busy week of meetings and moving
my classroom. I am making sure that I don't over do it !!
Can you believe that I'm
already having my 2nd year birthday of having my transplant on
the Monday August 13th ??? Amazing how time passes so quickly. I
thank God for all he has done in my life!!! I also would like to
thank all of you for your continued support and prayers may God
give you little delights to let you know he's there.
Monday, February 12th, 2007
Isn't it amazing
at how quickly time passes when you're not busy keeping track.
Two years ago today I was initially admitted into the hospital
with anemia. I've experienced quite a bit since then. What
a truly blessed time it has been!!
I'm now feeling
much better and reducing medications at almost every doctor
visit. I really enjoy the rainy weather we've been having as I
can't go out in the sun. I'm sure that it won't last too much
longer though.
Now let's see if
I can fill in some of the gaps in this journal.
The holidays were
busy. Aaron and Megan took turns getting sick the two weeks
before and the two weeks after Christmas. I got a sinus
infection right after Christmas and it feels like it's finally
getting better. I go to the ENT on Thursday afternoon to discuss
the progress. It's been almost three weeks since I've had to go
to the clinic. My next apt. is for Thursday morning and
hopefully we can reduce some more medications.
Oh! I forgot
---Christmas vacation we took a day trip to Flagstaff. It was
like experiencing winter in New England for a day. The kids were
really excited. Before we got into town we experienced some fog
which scared the kids but that all changed once they saw snow on
the ground! I should have audio taped them. They were so funny
saying "look snow, look snow, there's snow there and there etc."
They have seen snow before but this time they were also able to
experience a snowstorm and not just seeing it on the ground with
the sun shining brightly. The snow stopped when we got to
town but started up again when we were leaving. Needless to say
we had a snowball fight at a park. It was a funny change to say
the least. We also went to the Science Museum to see the Toyland
Exhibit. We all had an enjoyable break resting at home.
Lately I've
been busy doing motherly things, staying away from crowds and
out of the sun. I pray that you and your family are healthy and
enjoying quality time together.
May God richly bless you and you loved ones. -Kim
Wednesday November 15th
I met my donor, Terry and
his wife Robin on Sunday evening!!
It was an evening of emotions and gratitude. Believe it or
not we were the first ones there as guests at the dinner!!! I
guess I'm on time for the life changing events!! (LOL)
Being early I had plenty of time to be nervous. I spoke
with the coordinator of the event, Janet and she introduced us
to her staff along with an outline of the evenings events. When
it was my turn to speak I was really nervous but I did ok, a
little too serious. Then Janet spoke for a little while and then
called Terry from the crowd. I wanted to jump off the
stage area and run to him but I couldn't. I patiently waited as
he climbed up the stage to me. We hugged and I thanked him and
he said "your welcome". We were both in tears along with the
rest of our families and probably most of the other dinner
guests. Then Terry said a few words to the dinner guests and we
went off the stage area so our families could meet. Terry and
Robin received hugs and words of appreciation from my family. We
enjoyed a BBQ dinner together and talked so much I had to remind
myself to eat. Afterwards, Terry and his wife joined us at our
house for more conversation. We had a very enjoyable evening
getting to know each other. Terry and his wife Robin treated me
to breakfast Monday morning and we spoke for another two hours.
They are very giving and generous people. I foresee us keeping
in touch for a long time. I am very blessed to have had the
opportunity to meet Terry and his wife and thank them.
Please consider being a donor if you haven't already
signed up! It's a life saving act!!!www.marrow.org
This week has been busy trying to recover from the
weekend. Monday, I spent the morning with Terry and Robin and
then had to take Meg to the dentist. She's a trooper. She wanted
to go back to school after so I let her. Tuesday, I slept in and
rested along with some light chores around the house, like
fighting with the computer to send out emails. Today, I finally
finished up with painting the back living room. I just
have to do the trim around Aaron's bedroom door left.
Health wise, I'm still putting drops in my eyes for
dryness and my toes still tingle. The Dr. is reducing the
steroids and I'm at 5mg a day now. We added a medicine called
Lyrica for the neuropathy in my feet. I really haven't noticed
any changes yet. Last visit the Dr. did a bunch of hormone
testing because the MRI showed that my pituitary gland was
small. I spoke to him today but they didn't have the results
yet. I don't go back for another clinic visit until the Monday
after Thanksgiving.
Well, I think I filled you in on just about everything I
can think of. I hope that you and your families are doing well
and healthy. Live each day to the fullest.
God bless - Kim
Saturday November 11th, 2006
Excellent News: I get to meet my
bone stem cell donor tomorrow!!!
We will be guests at a recognition dinner for donors and
volunteers where I will get to meet my donor for the first time.
I'm nervous and also full of indescribable joyful emotions. The
evening is sure to be a memorable one!
A reporter for the Californian in Bakersfield, California
contacted me on Thursday. He wrote an article in 2005 about my
donor and is eager to do a follow-up article about our meeting
this weekend.
Thursday October 12th, 2006
Hi, Everything is going
well here. I have a touch of allergies/hay fever that's
bothering my nose but other than that I'm doing well. We reduced
my steroids again last week. I guess the MRI looked fine. I
forgot to ask the Dr. last week. I'll e-mail him tonight and
find out. I've been tired and taking naps a lot but
I've been sleeping well at night.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you!!! I was contacted by my
donor and we've been e-mailing. I might be able to meet him in
Nov.!!!
I've been enjoying the time with Aaron and Megan. They had
Monday off from school and we took them roller skating. No, I
did not skate. I'm not quite up to that kind of physical
activity yet. We let the kids try it on their own. They did
really well and even wanted to stay the whole time. They fell a
lot but they kept on going. Aaron surprised us with his
determination. Megan has quite a few bruises on her knees.
All for now. God Bless -Kim
Wednesday September 13th, 2006
Hi,
I have some great news for you!!! I had a bone marrow
biopsy and the test results indicated that there are
"NO SIGNS" of Leukemia!!! PRAISE GOD!!!
The results also indicated that engraftment is occurring which
means that the transplant process is proceeding as it should.
All very good news. I still need prayer for the side effects of
the meds I'm on (sleep, muscle cramps, numb feet (neuropathy)
etc..) I've been dealing pretty well with everything. I'm going
to be having an MRI done on my brain to see if there's one in
there!!! LOL. I've been having some odd sensations in the back
of my head and I can hear on occasion my blood swishing through
my head. It's kind of weird. I just want some peace of
mind that nothing is going on other than higher level thinking
skills in my brain. The Dr. has reduced some of my steroids
which I appreciate greatly. Hopefully, my face will thin out
soon. The redness in my face has diminished. Medically that's
about all that's new.
I've been enjoying the afternoons with Aaron and Megan. We've
gotten into the school routine. They really like going to school
and believe it or not doing homework. It's finally starting to
cool off (90') time to get the jackets out --LOL. The kids can
now go outside in the evenings and ride their bikes etc.. and I
can join them when the sun goes down. I still have to stay out
of the sun. Kevin is doing well, he is busy this week with
progress reports.
I hope you have a great week and are blessed with many
delights from God. -Kim
Wednesday August 9th, 2006
Hi, Things are going well here. It
feels weird not getting ready for students this year. Last year
I didn't have a chance to think about it as I was preparing for
my Bone Stem Cell transplant at Good Sam. Hospital. Wow, what a
year !!! On August 13th it will be an official year since day
"ZERO". A huge THANK YOU to all of you for your support and
prayers. God has blessed me and my family more than words can
express.
I went to school on Monday to unpack and clean up a little
bit before the new therapist comes in to take over. It was great
to be back on campus again. I hope all of the teachers /staff
reading this are having a productive week getting ready for
another year. I know Kevin's been busy.
The kids and I have been enjoying our last week of vacation.
Yesterday, we went school clothes shopping. Today, we might go
bowling. Aaron and Megan are ready and anxious to go back to
school. We get to meet their teachers on Friday.
Health wise, I've been having some leg and hand cramping
still but it has definitely decreased in severity and frequency.
My blood pressure is getting better but my pulse rate is still
high. I go to the Clinic on Thursday and maybe they'll reduce
some more meds for me.
All for now -- look for the little delights that God gives
us!! Love, Kim
Thursday July 27th, 2006
Hi, I spent a lovely morning at the
clinic. I forgot to not take one of my meds so they weren't able
to determine one of my med. levels. Oh well. I'll take that pill
out next week so that I don't forget. My blood pressure was high
so I have to take some more medications once again two more new
ones!!! Yippie!!! On a good note, one of them should allow me to
start reducing the steriods, which I am thrilled about. I hate
the round look of my face and the weight gain from them. I head
back to the clinic again next Thursday. All for now, God
Bless-Kim
Wednesday July 26th, 2006
Hi, I had a relaxing day today. I
slept really well and stayed in late this morning. We had a
storm last night that woke me up once but I feel rested today. I
went to the clinic on Monday and my blood pressure was high so I
have to go back again tomorrow. My face is still a little red
but at least is doesn't hurt like a sunburn would. I went out to
lunch with Kevin and then did some shopping at the book store.
I've been reading a lot more with all this free time.
I went to school to check out the new classroom and rummage
through my things that I've left there. I didn't have as much of
mess as I thought but I haven't been through all of the boxes
yet. I figured I'd go through some things so that It's set up
for the other therapist to come in and just get to work with the
kids. The kids are excited to be changing schools. I still want
to enjoy this rest of the summer and not rush it, less then a
month left. They start school on the 14th of August. All for now
I'll let you know how things go tomorrow with the blood
pressure. Take care and God Bless- Kim
Wednesday July 19th, 2006
Boy the summer is going
by quickly. Only a couple of more weeks and then school again. I
went to the Dr. and they increased the anti-rejection
medication. My face is still really red, it looks like a bad
sunburn but it doesn't hurt. My arms have a little marbleized
rash to them. I'm feeling good except for some muscle cramps in my
legs and hands. The Dr. says it's from the steroids that I have
to take. I take another medication and they go away in about
five to ten minutes. My feet are still numb feeling from the
neuropathy but I've been used to that for a while now.
Well with all the latest increase in medications, I won't be
going back to work in August. I guess God wants me to do other
things right now. I was really hoping to go back to work but I
don't want to rush it if my body isn't ready yet. Kevin and I
decided to transfer Aaron and Megan to their
home/ local school that they would go to. It's also the school I
worked at. This way they can meet friends in the neighborhood
and I don't have to drive so far to get them. This year they
will both be on the same schedule 8:00-2:00pm. I'll even be able
to walk or ride my bike to get them (once it cools down a bit
that is!!)
I've been staying out of the sun and
doing some scrapbooking. I recently purchased the Scrapbook
Factory Deluxe 3 computer program to help with scrapping.
Kevin's hoping that now I'll start finishing some of my projects
in work. I've also started a new bible study at church "Lord,
Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days" by Kay Arthur. The first
week has gone well. I'm also going to be helping the quilting
group at church and start learning to make quilts. I think I can
sew in a straight line!! LOL That's the latest here. Take care
and God Bless- Kim
Tuesday July 4th 2006
What a hot summer we're having here!!!
We've been pretty busy. We had a great week of vacation bible
school at our church. I helped out in Megan's class. It was a
lot of work but the kids had fun. Megan accepted God into her
heart and was baptized. Praise God!!!
The next week, I woke up with a fever and sore
throat. I visited the Dr. and it turned out that I had strep
throat. I took the mediation and the next day I felt 100%
better. Last week we went camping from Sunday to Thursday
at Woods Canyon Lake north of Payson. It was about 30
degrees colder there. It felt great except it rained almost
everyday. We went fishing and boating. We inflated our boat and
Kevin rowed around with the kids and one day we rented a row
boat with a motor and took a spin around the lake. Aaron caught
one fish and Kevin caught two. All of the fish went back into
the lake. I'm not quite ready to skin a fish. However, I did put
the worms on the hook and those guys like to move around a lot.
The kids really enjoyed playing in the woods and feeding the
chipmunks.
Yesterday, I went to the Clinic for my regular appt. and I
have
Graph vs. Host which is when my body shows signs of
rejection of the transplant. I basically have a skin rash. My
face looks like I have a sunburn. I have a white spot on the
inside of my mouth and my eyes are dry. It doesn't bother me
much at all. I put lotion on my face and eye drops in my eyes.
The Dr. increased all of my medications and I'm back on
steroids. Hopefully this will be a small bump in my road to
recovery. I was hoping to go back to work in August. Well that
is all for now. I hope you're having an enjoyable time
with your family this summer. Happy fourth of July!! God Bless
-Kim
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