Happy Friday!! Today was my 8th and final clinical trial chemo shot. The nursing staff all cheered and congratulated me as I left my room today. Another milestone accomplished! To follow up from my last update, I was supposed to be admitted for only 3 days in the hospital for additional chemotherapy, however, that turned into a week (April 12-19th). I want to thank my Jax Beach family for all the visits, food and additional comfort during that time. Hopefully, this treatment is what I needed for full remission! This last month was filled with appointments in preparation for my transplant. My little brother, Tony, and my Dad stayed with me this past week to help with daily appointments, make home-cooked meals and to keep me company on my beach walks. Tony also had several appointments to prepare for his bone marrow donation. He spent a full day at Mayo, where they successfully harvested his stem cells. I am forever grateful Tony took the time to come down and complete this procedure for me. I know it took a lot of courage and am very thankful to have him for a little brother.

My upcoming bone marrow biopsy to determine remission is scheduled next Friday on May 10. Regardless of the result, my transplant date is scheduled. I will receive the new stem cells on May 24th! I’m so excited that my transplant is planned with one of my favorite nurses, Rebecca. It is painless and takes around 2 hours, no one else is allowed in the room during this time. Prior to transplant, I will be admitted to the hospital on May 19th. I will have a central line placed in my chest to begin intensive chemotherapy for two days. This treatment will be the most intense chemotherapy I will receive during my entire treatment plan to prepare my body for transplant. I have received over 100 chemo treatments at this point and am ready to take this one on with full force! The following 3 days after the chemo, I will receive total body radiation, which consists of 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon.

I plan to spend these next two weeks of May enjoying time with friends, eating good food, and moving my body as much as possible. I will be appreciating every breath of fresh air on beach walks before being admitted again. I wake up grateful everyday to live by the beach surrounded by the palm trees and the most amazing support system near and far. God is so good! I thank Him daily for giving me the strength, energy, and peace to push through this journey. He has kept my mind resilient through the toughest challenges I have, and will continue to face. More updates to share after my next bone marrow biopsy.