I just want to thank everyone for all you've done for myself, Ginia & Bennie and the TC Family. The emotional and financial support we've received have been instrumental in keeping our minds and hearts healthy during this difficult time. I could've never imagined the amount of concern, care and encouragement that we've been given the past 5 months. From our Friends & Family, all the way to people we've never even met before...it's truly amazing.
     I'm currently on day 11 of my Autologous Stem Cell Transplant. I'm in the phase they refer to as the "Basement". This is when my immune system is at its lowest and most vulnerable, essentially    non existent. An autologous transplant is when you have your own stem cells harvested a few weeks before the transplant and those are what you're given back. I'm grateful I was given this option, it's not a possibility for everyone. So a few weeks ago they harvested my stem cells, 16 million to be exact and froze them for the transplant. On December 3rd I checked into Emory and received      High Dose Chemotherapy. Two days later, my stem cells were introduced back into my system. The idea is that over 10 days or so, the High Dose Chemo basically wipes out all of my white blood cells, platelets and everything else...good and bad. Then my own healthy stem cells, which were 2 days behind the chemo...come to the rescue. I won't go into details on the effects all of this has been on my mind and body. Let's just say it is a very Ugly experience. The good news is, there's nowhere to go but up! Over the next week my body will start creating new white blood cells, building my immune system and healing itself from all of this.                                                                                Thanks again for all you have done for us during this time. Cheers to a Cancer Free New Year for everyone! Hope to see you all at TC soon!

Bies