My Cancer Journey

Last Sunday, February 24, I flew back to Houston for my 1 year checkup post stem cell transplant. It seems so long ago. One year ago today, I was sitting in my houston apartment recovering from my stem cell transplant. What a journey it has been this last year… going into the unknown territory of getting a stem cell transplant and coming out a survivor. My faith in Christ has been strengthened and his love for me has overflowed through all the ways his has touched my life this year. He has touched me through prayer, community support (family, friends, faith groups, work associates, and clients), and through opening my eyes further to how he is at work in my life.

So, let's get to the point… the results of my checkup. I had blood work, x-rays, and CAT scans. All the results have come back (except for one of the CAT scans) and I am "clean as a whistle". I will have to check back in 6 months. Meanwhile, I need to go through and be reimmunized (I get all the shots that babies get) through 3 series of shots. My immune system is immature due to clearing the cells out of all my stem cells and starting over (with my cells as the seed to start the process of building up a new immune system).

This Houston trip had an extra bonus. I was able to stay with my high school youth group leaders (Molly and Kevin McCarthy) that just recently moved to the Houston area. It was great to hang out with them and catch up. They were very generous with opening up their home to me and taking me back and forth from the airport and clinic. Thanks Molly and Kevin!