August 3rd we
celebrated a cancer-free diagnosis with 1,000 other folks who are just like
Daniel. Folks that too, have received bone marrow transplants. This year
happened to be the 20th celebration- twenty years of transplanting
stem cells. It’s amazing how many lives have forever been changed because of
volunteer donors. Research has come a long way- and there is still room for
improvements. We meet new cancer friends each year, and this year we met some
amazing men and their wives who were transplanted not long before Daniel. So,
you compare stories and ours is nothing like theirs- which reminds us of how
blessed we truly are. After the gala, we attended a small, private celebration
with Dr. DiPersio, his staff and other physicians within his circa. His nurse
practitioner is truly the finest, always putting up with Daniel’s shenanigans,
and providing her time to listen to me and my concerns, never misunderstanding
anything! We have formed such a good relationship with all of them. As she
introduced us to research staff, she would give them inform them of the type/
types of leukemia that Daniel was diagnosed with. As she put it –“it’s the
really bad kind of leukemia”. Which, always gets a interesting look from folks-
apparently, he doesn’t fit the mold. I guess, he’s pretty special in the
leukemia world, most like him don’t survive. As they discuss him and his
future, I really do feel blessed. His outcomes have been nothing short of
excellent- any of the physician’s up there will tell you that! Hearing that,
gives you a really good feeling, but at the same time, makes you want to vomit.
So, I find myself trying to remember that the only thing that we can control is
the present- what is right here in front of us. It is hard. Really hard, when
you are quickly reminded that we are in a really good spot with the current
state of Daniel’s health. It is easy to get wrapped up in your insecurities and
fears in life. Dang it, life is hard any way that you look at it.
I found this quote- it
helps remind me that time heals. And no matter how much the world is pushing
against me, I am so much stronger!
“In the midst of winter, I found there was,
within me, an invincible summer.”
Acceptance
and acknowledgement of where we have been, where we are now, and how we have
gotten here are reminders of the greatness of life itself. Sometimes, we just
need those reminders that have given way to life. I know that we have just had
our share of unlucky times. However, I recognize that the tide has turned. And,
I can’t tell you how incredibly thankful I am for that!
XOXO,
Kristin
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