Happy 2017!

So, this year, wouldn't it be great if they found a cure for all cancers?

Recently, one of the strongest young ladies that influenced me (emma Rose) has relapsed with her leukemia.
I wanted to send a big virtual bear hug and sincere good thoughts to you Emma!
You are a strong warrior princess...and I know you will beat this yet again!

You have influenced me in how I fought my leukemia.  You have influenced me to help others in need...from baking cookies and delivering them to my doctor's chemo area, making gift bags to those staying in the hospital with things like lip balms, puzzle books, and good soft kleenex, and even starting a cancer support group at my church (we didn't get much activity, but we tried).
Your positive attitude helped me with my fight-- I had just been diagnosed and found your facebook page and it helped me in numerous ways.  I remember being up in the middle of the night, lying in my hospital bed, and just crying.  I was nervous.  I was lonely.  I felt like I was being punished by God.  I was scared.  I felt like my life was over.  And, I got over it.  I cried and I missed my family.
I felt like a big experiment.  From my skin breaking out in an itchy rash to the yeast infections to the skin peeling off my lips constantly.  Getting c-diff, being denied coverage on necessary medications, and mouth sores and daily blood products were just the icing on the cake.  Now I know.  Now I brave whatever comes at me...and I have your positive attitude that helped me look at things differently.
Thank you.
You Got This!

If you would like to help Emma collect toys and giftcards for children at her local hospitals who are fighting cancer--- please help her here:
https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2KHP1FSC327DA/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_ui-Swb0H1VBZ8

For more info on her awesome idea and Emma, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaRose4P/

Feeling Blessed by helping others

I have been blessed yesterday and today.

Yesterday, I was able to make some peanut butter cookies to take to the chemo bar.  No appointment, I'm great, but I just wanted to surprise those sitting there getting their meds on a hot and muggy Monday.

I think it was well received.

Today, I was walking a neighborhood, doorknocking and handing out flyers. I had no work appointments, so I thought it would be okay to spend an hour trying to drum up some business.  Going from one door to another, a little elderly lady yelled from across the street, "Miss, can you help me?"

She was attached to a portable oxygen machine and was struggling to get her groceries out of her trunk.  Today was cooler than the last few days, but it was still in the mid to upper 80s.  Turns out she has COPD and a few other issues...and every time she talked it sounded like she was out of breath.  

I carried her groceries inside, set everything on the counter and helped her attach to her big oxygen machine in the living room.  As we were talking and chatting, she reached over to give me a big hug and tell me that I really made her day.  She doesn't have any family around here and its pretty lonely.

I feel like she was the reason I had no appointments and decided to go knock on doors in that neighborhood to see if anyone wanted to sell their home.  She was the only reason, even though my sweaty self was able to hand out 15 flyers (market updates in that neighborhood) and have 3 really good conversations in less than 2 hours.  

One Year Anniversary...oh how my life has changed!

One year ago today, I went to Urgent Care thinking I had the flu and was a bit anemic.  Instead, I was informed (bluntly) I had leukemia with only days to live, and an ambulance rushed me to a hospital in Chicago.  I spent 5 weeks in the same hospital room.  I had my gallbladder removed a couple days later, a hickman port installed in my chest with three tubes hanging out of it.  I lived attached to an IV that went with me everywhere.  I lost my hair.  I got used to vomiting (often).  I went from a probiotic and multivitamin every morning to over 10 pills with breakfast alone.  I experienced chemotherapy (a lot of it).  I found out what health insurance really is and what they cover.  I learned to fight for myself.  I learned that the drug that saves me costs $5,000 out of pocket each month.  Yep.  I learned a lot.


But...

Today is the anniversary I got my life back.  I almost died, but the wonderful doctors and amazing nursing staff saved my life.  This past year has been a gift.  I promised God one year ago today that I would make a difference in this world, and I wasn't ready to die.  I hope God knows I am trying to move in the right direction.  I've walked and raised money for the Humane Society.  I've walked for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I've made cookies for others in chemo.   I've made cookies for a bake sale to help another person overwhelmed by medical issues and bills.  I've tried to be more helpful.  I care more about others than I ever did before.




This is only the beginning. 


I am happy to wake up each and every morning.  I love life and can't wait to get back to living!  I am committed to continue helping others through their own cancer story, as they heal so they can get back to living.


I am ever so grateful.