Today is the day... I guess I get a new birthday today along with my new immune system. I am so at a loss for words right now. Really I just wanna be with Zoey, Z, mama and sisters. I want to be with my sister while she is going through the process of harvesting the stem cells. I know that isn’t easy. So much going through my head right now... just know that I am eternally grateful to everyone! Ya’ll strength and praying has brought me here. Even if you didn’t pray your well wishes provided momentum. I love you all!
cancer
Alopecia
Even if you're bald, losing your hair is a humbling experience. It is so crazy to see the hair you been shaving for 24 years be so easy to pull out. I've always joked the I can't wait for my hair to fall out so that I wouldn't have to shave. Now that the choice of having hair has been taking away... it is bittersweet. I think it is more of a loss of choice than the loss of the actual hair.
Casi ahí
Ask not for a lighter burden but for broader shoulders. - Jewish proverb
Almost there, just have to strap in and push through.
Bordem is the loneliest number
Faith
Keep moving
4/14/17
I took this image on the day my life changed for ever. My doctor called me and told me to go to the nearest ER because my platelets were extremely low and I was at risk. On the way to 2nd ER (the first was a 24 hr Small ER) my lower back pain was excruciating, my one smidge of comfort came when I folded myself up and put my feet on the dashboard.
After 6 hrs and many, many vials of blood later, I had my diagnosis. Z and I cried for a minute... to be honest, as soon as I heard the words "Leukemia" Zoey popped in my head. I started to think about all the things I wouldn't be able to teach her and all the memories I'd miss. That's why I cried... I didn't give a damn about what was wrong with me. People get diagnosed with cancer everyday, I am no different.
Now this post isn't gonna be all sad and mushy, I'm happy to say I've been in remission since late May. My job is to keep that streak going and that's exactly what I will do. I will be around for a very, very long time friends.
Breakfast cocktail
To combat the effects of chemo I have to down a assortment of drugs,
Anti viral
Anti Bacterial
Anti fungal
Anti nausea
Methyl-Prednisone
Pepsin
I've never taken this much medication before but I must say that it is doing it's job! besides a couple day of being extremely tired I haven't had any real bad days... yet.
Septua
7 months... I have to wear this hospital band, 7 months of intermittent hospital stays. 7 weeks of chemo. A total of 24 weeks away from my daughter... I'm not looking for pity. Quite the opposite, I'm not mad I have Leukemia. Truthfully who am I NOT to get it, I am not special. Cancer is a anyone disease, anyone from any walk of life can get it... no one is immune.
I feel it is my job to show others that having Leukemia, it isn't what the tv shows and movies says it is.
"Septua" is a documentation of everything I'll be going through for my 7 month chemo protocal (including peeing in containers on the side of my bed).. Some images might be hard to look at, but reality isn't always nice and neat. Hopefully I can truly convey through my images what cancer is and what it can mean to one's life.