How I am doing-1 1/2 years post treatment

Today was my 3 month check up with my lymphoma doctor.  No scans, just blood work and a check up.  All is well.  I was sick with colds a good part of February and March so it was a relief that my doctor found me well and that my lungs sound clear.  I was also very happy because my blood counts were pretty good.  My hemoglobin was normal.  My white blood count was actually in the low normal range for the first time in a very long time.  The platelets are still low so no playing with knives for me! 

Back in February I saw the endocrinologist for my thyroid.  All is well with that too.

My next CT scan is in July and in August I will have an ultrasound of my neck to check the left side of the thyroid that remains.

I am now a year and a half post treatment. 

I am really happy with my results and progress.  About a month ago I began to feel relief from some post chemo symptoms.  All this time, I had constant joint pain all over my body and now it is pretty much gone.  It only remains in my hands and I usually only feel it when I wake up.  You can't imagine what a relief that is!  And now I am sleeping much better which is probably due to the fact that I am not in so much pain anymore.  Yay!!  I am still suffering from chemo brain though-lol.

Thank you all for your love and prayers!

Happy Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday.  It's a time of new beginnings and I love that.  Easter blessing to you all!

Click Out Cancer

I received this email from a friend today.  Someone that I went to grammar school with created this website to raise funds for cancer research.  How cool is that?  It just requires you to visit the website, it does not ask for donations.  Here is an explanation from the website:

 

Rather than asking friends for monetary donations or to buy raffles, chocolates, or wrapping paper; ClickOutCancer.com requires a simple click on the "Click Out Cancer" button below. NO monetary donation is required. Funds will be generated by Google ads, affiliate programs, and website sponsors whose ads appear throughout the website. 100% of all proceeds generated from this website will be donated at year's end to the American Cancer Society and the More Than Friends organization.

 

It's that simple.  So bookmark this page and visit it everyday!  And pass this on to everyone you know.

 

http://www.clickoutcancer.com/

 

Light the Night Brunch/Award

Yesterday, I attended a brunch to honor all who raised over $1,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is a really nice event, but sad also. There were a couple of people that I met last year who are no longer with us. So, it is bittersweet to say the least. It certainly reminds us all of how important it is to continue to raise funds for research.

On a happy note, and much to my surprise, I won an award. I was the 5th highest individual fund raiser in Northern NJ! I was very happy and excited. Of course, it is thanks to my family and friends who helped me and were so generous.

So now I am really looking forward to next year. This lady who I met last year actually challenged me! She said next year she will beat me and I'm thinking-bring it on lady! Now I must exceed this year's amount.

Save the date: Next year's walk is October 6th in Brookdale Park. I hope Team Jackiepie continues to grow so mark your calendars and join us!

Three month check up

Today I had my CT scan and check up.  Everything is still stable so the doctor is happy.  My blood counts are still slightly below normal, but he said that this is probably how I will always be because of the treatment that I had.  I will see him in three months as usual for a check up only.  He said that my next CT scan will be in six months instead of three months.  This is good news!  I've been feeling great and have plenty of energy.

A New Year's Wish

My Wish for All in 2007

May peace break into your hearts and may thieves come to steal your debt.  May you find love and may laughter assault your lips.  May happiness find you always and may you only cry tears of joy.  May the problems you had forget your address.  May you be healthy and strong.  And may 2007 be the best year of your life!

Happy New Year!

The Church of the Crucifix

Tonight, my cousins from Sicily were to arrive for the Christmas holiday. They missed their connecting flight in London so we won't see them until tomorrow night.:( But that is not what I am writing about tonight. I want to share an experience that I had while I was in Sicily.

We spent some time in the town that my grandparents came from, Geraci Siculo. My cousins actually own the home where my grandmother lived as a young girl. Anyway, there is a church there called the Church of the Crucifix. There is such an amazing, life-like crucifix in that church. When I became sick, my cousin Pina made a promise to Jesus in that church. She prayed that if I should recover and return to Geraci someday that she would walk barefoot through town and present flowers to the crucified Jesus. So our first day there, that is what we did. Pina walked, in socks only, praying the whole time. We kneeled before the cross while she gave thanks to Jesus for my recovery and for my being there with them. We each placed lilies in a vase on the alter. When I turned around, there was not a dry eye to be found.

Wow, what a beautiful and moving experience this was for me! The power of prayer.