Day +1

​Well let me tell you, those new stem cells sure made it known that they were roaming about in my body last night.  Between the fever, chills, shakes, headache, nausea and sleeplessness, I was beginning to think that that were declaring World War III inside of my body.  I made it through the first night with my new stem cells and woke up happy to not be shaking anymore.  

Goal #1: Take a shower.  Again, this shower goal begins to become more and more of a challenge as the days pass.  Nonetheless, it is a goal and goals are important here on the 10th floor of the BMT Unit.  The thought of taking my clothes off after an entire night of fever, chills and shakes, made me cringe.  But I did it.  Mission accomplished.  I have to remind myself that I am a fighter, even when it comes down to the simple task of showering in the morning.

My family support has been nothing but 110%.  Everyday, my family shows up, supporting me, even if they just watch me sleep and feel sick; they are there.  Today I was also blessed with Barb and Pat, friends of mine from St. Blase, who brought me communion.  Faith is my ticket out of here; faith is my ticket in life.  Without faith, I would be entirely lost and in this fight, I would be completely lost.

With all of the 2nd birthday hoopla, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation to WDIV, Channel 4 Detroit.  Devin Scillian, Ruth Spencer, Sarah Mayberry and the entire crew resurrected my news story from 10 years ago when I was first diagnosed with cancer and looking for a bone marrow donor.  They initially covered my story back in 2003 and at the time, I was not able to find a donor and the chances of survival were dismal without one.  I ran into Devin at an event before I was admitted to Karmanos and mentioned to him that I had found a donor and how great it would be to use my story to educate others to help save lives by getting more people on the bone marrow registry.  The process is so simple; a swab of the cheek and the actual donation process is now like giving blood.  That simple and you now have helped save a life like mine.  Not only did they cover the updated story, but the camera crew came to Karmanos, WDIV pulled old footage from 10 years ago and created a wonderful story, covering the entire 10 years of this cancer journey which aired on the evening news.  It was more than I could ever ask for.  The story was beautiful.  It captured my son from when he was as a little kid to now as a senior in high school.  They did a fantastic job at educating viewers on how easy it is to become a donor and that it doesn't require drilling into your hip anymore to donate and save a life.  It was amazing.  Thank you WDIV.

So the night has come to a close, with a last minute visit from RJ King, who brought by Detroit goodies that only he could deliver, as well as my sleepover partner, Megan.  Not only does she understand what I need when I don't say anything at all, she is committed to me through a friendship that I don't ever want to live a day without.  She accepts me for what I am; broken, sick, cancer, and soon to be cancer-free.  I love her.

​Day +1