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May 19, 2008
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
Jeremiah 17:7
It’s been a while so I’ll get right down to it. For starters, it looks like this could be the first full year of teaching school I have completed since 2003. Praises for sure! This past week I went back up to SCCA for my routine annual check up and at the end of all the tests I met with Corina and she shared the results with me:
“All scans clear and no normal lymphocytes (Leukemia Cells) present in the marrow.”
Tears flowed down my face and words were hard to find. I am grateful for the life I have been given. So I am hopeful you won’t mind reading the cheesy, but true quote from a country music song quote that just popped into my head:
And days go by...
Like a hand out the window in the wind.
The cars go by...
Yeah it's all we've been given,
So you better start livin' right now!!
Even though I have the incredible news from my recent tests, I am still going through a lot of challenges related to the transplant. The main long-term battle, which I have talked about before, is Graft Versus Host disease which requires me to be on a lot of medications, some of which are very hard on me physically and mentally. Prednisone, a steroid, is one of the most difficult medications to tolerate.
Some of the mental side effects of the drug are:
• mental depression
* irritability
• mistaken feelings of self-importance or being mistreated
• mood swings (sudden and wide)
• restlessness
• trouble sleeping
* maintaining concentration and focus
Living with the side effects of Prednisone and other medications is a major struggle for me. Especially lately due to some increases in my meds to respond to some GVH flare-ups. I could use prayers to help me do my best to see through the medicated cloud and live a somewhat normal life.
Thank you to all the medical staff who are helping me work through the mental issues associated with being a transplant patient. In many ways the mental and emotional obstacles are much harder to deal with and overcome than the physical. Thank you to all of you involved in my recent follow-up visits at SCCA and for all you do to manage my care in a positive and caring environment. SCCA is a special place with some very special people on staff.
Thanks to my special friends, Rhonda and Michelle, from my YMCA spin class who took time out of their day to drive me home from my tests at the SCCA. You guys helped make a difficult day a lot more fun. Especially when we climbed the REI wall. Rhonda’s son, Miles, was amazing as he fearlessly scrambled up the wall.
I am continually humbled by the ongoing support for my family and me throughout my cancer battle. Reading back in my journals I have story after story of acts of kindness and service that have been shown to us. Recently we had another incredible example of the support. In April we had our roof replaced and a majority of the funds and services for the project were donated. Some of the people who donated I have never met. My family is so grateful for the help with our roof and hope we can somehow repay your kindness forward to someone else.
I receive newsletters form the Long Term Follow Up Department of SCCA from time to time and it includes thoughts from survivors. Some of the words are very encouraging and others are difficult to hear.
I read one quote recently that said:
“If I would have had family or close friends see the transplant process, and major surgery and chemo before that, I’m sure I would have a better support system. Unfortunately, I went through it all by myself, no husband, or children, and no close friends. “ 2001 Transplant Patient
Reading that passage broke my heart for I have been so blessed to have so much support. Without it I know I couldn’t have made it this far. Nobody should have to go through cancer, or any significant trial, alone. It is amazing how much strength and hope it gives another person when a little kindness and compassion is shared.
There were a lot of nights spent in the gym over the past winter watching the boys play basketball. It’s a lot fun to watch all the games, but it is kind of nice to have our family schedule slow down a bit as summer approaches.
Few photos highlighting some other things we have done this spring. Something about going to Dick’s in Seattle is cool and always worthy of a photo. Wouldn’t recommend a steady diet of Dick’s burgers, but once in a while you have to do it.
CJ and I flew to Nampa, ID to visit NNU about a month ago. He communicated with the basketball coach from NNU quite a bit during this past season so we decided to go check out the school. Had a great visit and loved the atmosphere and setting. Small Division II school of about 1,200 students. A few weeks after our visit to NNU CJ signed to play basketball there. He will also pursue music, specifically piano and bassoon, and possibly a career in Physical Therapy. Exciting times, but will be a long trip to watch him play. They will play some games closer to us such as SPU and Western Washington. CJ said his decision to go to NNU was based on the basketball, music, academics, and a Christian setting. I think the scale was tipped when he saw a Sonic Drive-In across from the school.
The captions and the photos that follow pretty much sum things up. Wanted to highlight some of the different things that have been going on to bring everyone up to speed. Beautiful new niece, Madjya, joined our family recently. Funny story, my sister-in-law is a former student and volleyball player of mine.
One thing I am very proud of is a video a couple students and I produced to promote the Leukemia Society's ‘Team n Training’ program. I have done two ‘Team in Training’ events as an honor patient and have a real passion for the cause. If you haven’t seen the video yet you can check it out here:
http://www.teamintraining.org:80/wa/
or
http://www.fifeschools.com/media/shula/tntvideo08.html
Probably one of the most difficult things I have had to deal with this past spring is the loss of a good friend and co-worker, Mary Fore. Mary lost her battle to breast cancer this past February. I put together a video for her memorial service that was held at our high school. If you have the time, I encourage you to take a look. It is my hope the video will give you a small glimpse of the beautiful person she was. I miss you Mary.
http://www.fifeschools.com/media/TDM/mary_memorial_08.html
In closing, I’ll leave you with some of CJ’s graduation photos. He’s grown into a very handsome young man. However, his faith and strength of character are what makes me the most proud to be his dad.
May the Lord’s peace be with you and I thank you for all your prayers and support.
“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”
--James Allen
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