Hello friends,

I know it has been a bit since the last update. I stepped off the roller coaster ride just for a minute. I was worn down and worn out with the transplant ups and downs. The last few weeks I have just ignored any rumblings that transplant was going to happen. Emotionally I just needed a reset. Physically I am doing great. Amazing when you have normal blood counts and are in remission you look and feel great. How can you look and act so normal and have shitty leukemia? I will take the good times and enjoy feeling normal. 

My last chemo was February 26th. Since I have been on a chemo schedule getting it every 4-5 weeks this long break made me worry. What is keeping my leukemia gone? AML is aggressive and can be difficult to treat. Throw in the added bonus mine came from my breast cancer treatment and that I have an unfavorable gene mutation this crap is coming back. Even my rheumatoid arthritis adds to a poorer prognosis. I am very blessed that I went into remission after the first chemo and have stayed there. Many folks are not so fortunate during their leukemia treatment. 

Went to the Hairball concert in Virginia. Got more than 80’s music there. Probably got my case of parainfluenza 3 there. Started with a cough and booger nose. Mayo wanted an evaluation done to see exactly what I was dealing with. Can’t be sick with certain things before transplant. Feeling better but still have a cough. My white count dipped a bit on Mondays lab. Hopefully it is just from being sick. Seriously haven’t had a sniffle since before my diagnosis in August. Get close to transplant and pick up a virus. I think something doesn’t want me to have a transplant. 

Mayo wanted another bone marrow biopsy done before transplant. Needed to make sure I was still in remission. Opted for sedation this time. I have toughed out just being numbed up 3 times. Best idea ever having sedation. Never again going to tough out one of those biopsies. Had it done on Monday and it takes 48-72 hours for the results. Was happy to see the test that looks for tiny amounts of leukemia cells was negative. Bam, still in remission. Huge relief. 

Have been in communication with Mayo frequently the last week regarding the virus, biopsy results and transplant. I was told yesterday that my donors bone marrow is at Mayo in the freezer. You know what frozen means? I shouldn’t have laughed at smelling like creamed corn for a few days. Yep I am going to be one of those people. Big drum roll here!!!! Got the word this morning I am officially moving to Mayo Sunday. If my labs are good and my virus is better will start the transplant process Monday. Have a day full of appointments Monday. Tuesday get my central line placed, allergy antibiotic testing and admitted to the hospital. Wednesday start 4 days of chemo. Get 2 days off and transplant May 7th. I can type this and still not believe it will happen. We just booked a place to stay this morning. Very lucky that one of the transplant houses had an opening. It is an actual house just for transplant patients that you rent. Need to get packing for my 100 days. 

So many emotions regarding this next step in treatment. Thank you all for the support and love. Thank you to my donor for stepping up and getting it done. I’m not sure what I can say to someone that is trying to save your life. I encourage those that can to get on the registry to do it.It will be a few days out of your life if you are a donor. It could be the gift that gives people extra months or years that they wouldn’t have had. 


Libby