Yes, that is what all of you are, incredible people who are helping me save my life. We are lead by two of the most courageous and heroic people I know, Shira Friedman and Steve Field.
There are truly no words to express my deepest gratitude and thanks for all the monetary and test kit donations received to date. Your support and good wishes keep my spirits way up and my stress level down which is exactly what the doctor ordered during this donor waiting period.
Many of you have asked about my current medical state which I am happy to share. I just finished my third round of chemo a week and a half ago and feel great. I still work full time and will continue to do so until the transplant. Since I have a very active job (orthopedic physical therapist) I do get fatigued but my coworkers and office manager are fantastic and I rest each day at lunch time to rejuvenate. Everyone at home has been pitching in and we are dealing with everyday normal challenges of raising a 7 and 11 y.o.
The next step in the process is to go through another round of chemo, followed by a bone marrow biopsy (ouch). If my oncologist and my transplant physician feel I am ready to receive the transplant AND we have a willing donor I get an admit date to enter Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. If there is no donor at the time I’m ready OR I’m not ready to receive the transplant I will continue on the chemo until all the stars are aligned and everyone is ready and available at the same time.
Many of you have also asked how I found out I had MDS. I actually have another unrelated medical condition that was discovered approximately 6 years ago. I needed to take medication for that condition which needed to be monitored with my blood levels. My neurologist at one point was uncomfortable with the findings and referred me to a hematologist/oncologist. At that time my hematologist/oncologist just “watched and waited”, a term they use in the medical world, for two and a half years. He had his suspicions about MDS after one and a half years and the first bone marrow biopsy however, MDS gets over diagnosed and needed more confirmatory testing. He unfortunately got what he was looking for on November 4, 2010 and I was diagnosed with MDS.
So that’s my story. My journey continues to have a bright outlook as we continue to search for my donor and that is because of all of you in the donor circle. Your cards, gifts, good wishes and positive vibes are making this an incredible life experience instead of a dead end. There are no words to express enough thanks and gratitude to all of you, my lifesavers.
Love,
Maxine
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