Season's Greetings!

Belated Christmas Update

(This is the blog entry that we planned to post a week ago but never quite got around to sending)

The past couple of weeks I have enjoyed some 'days off' from chemotherapy and the hospital routine. My blood counts recovered well after the last round, restoring my immunity and enabling me to 'live like normal'. I have been able to attend a couple of ringette games, walk around the neighbourhood and resume selected domestic activities. (I enjoy baking but I am sure cleaning up the mess, vacuuming or doing windows would be bad for my bone marrow!)

My Doctors decided to start me on another round of chemo just before Christmas. If I was partial to conspiracy theories I might suspect Kevin and the girls of persuading the Docs to order another round of chemo before Christmas so that I wouldn't feel like eating as many of the terrific Christmas goodies that we've been receiving - leaving more for them.

This year in an effort to save Kevin "mall shopping trauma" and because I already have enough ladders, vacuums, strainers, laundry baskets, and shovels, I suggested he leave the responsibility for coming up with a Christmas gift for me to the girls. (I do have to admit , however , that the ladder I received for Christmas a few years ago came in handy this year. As I couldn't have a 'real' tree, because of my compromised immunity, the girls elected to decorate the ladder instead of getting an artificial tree).

Kevin did brave the dollar store and presented everyone in the family with "Wild Kingdom Headgear" - very practical accessories that can brighten up any ensemble and ensure that you are not wearing the same thing as anyone else at your next party.

Erin and Ali treated me to some lovely gifts but the nicest 'surprise' under our ladder was news that a stem cell transplant donor had been located and confirmed. If my recovery from this latest round of chemo continues as anticipated, the transplant will be scheduled for early February. I will return to the hospital the week prior to the transplant for seven days of intensive chemo and a course of full body irradiation. The intent is to completely eradicate any remnants of my own immune system to minimize rejection of the donor's stem cells. The donor's stem cells will be harvested in a clinic in their home country (we aren't told where that is) and flown to Calgary in an IV bag. When I have completed my pre - transplant chemo and radiation the cells will be transfused into my IV. The two weeks following the transplant are spent in hospital managing all of the side effects arising from the transplant. We are given no information about the donor except that the transplant team has indicated that they are a good match for my immune system profile.

While the prospect of what lies ahead in the short term is a little daunting, the philosophy of "taking it a day at a time" has brought us 3 months down this road with good progress and positive results from the therapy undertaken so far. Having found a donor opens the way for the next step in the journey to recovery. (and having to do windows again!)

Happy New Year

We will endeavour to post this New Year's Update sometime before Valentine' s Day!

We have enjoyed a relaxed holiday at home between Christmas and NewYear. I have had to return to the hospital every couple of days to follow my blood counts and receive transfusions but have been able to spend evenings at home.

It has proven impossible to adequately recognize and "Thank" all of those who have supported us over the past few months. The cards and e-mails of encouragement, prayers and positive thoughts have truly been uplifting and inspiring. All kinds of people have come forward to chauffeur, feed, decorate, donate, co-ordinate and just generally look after us.

We feel blessed and genuinely grateful for all efforts, large and small, that have been made on our behalf.

We look forward to 2010 and wish everyone who is helping and us along this path - good health , time with family and safe adventures in the year to come.

Sara, Kevin, Erin, Ali and Mona

Keep smiling!