Yes - REMISSION at last!!!
I am so happy and so ecstatic – today is the best day of the year thus far!!! We’ve been waiting to hear this for 10 long months!
My PET is NEGATIVE and my oncologists think I am in remission and ready for transplant. I also saw the BMT onc -- they want to proceed with the auto SCT ASAP since I finally achieved remission. So far, looks like I'll start the transplant next Thursday -- I'll get a new combination of drugs (trial study) for the monster chemo: Busulfan & Melphalan (BM) instead of the traditional BEAM. I should be done by the end of the month in time of Andryusha’s first birthday; we thank God for my awesome manager Michelle who offered to host and organize a party for Andryusha – we obviously would not be able to pull this off ourselves.
And another sweet piece of news: my only brother is a PERFECT match! Can you believe it! Not that I need it now (I’ll be using my own cells) but it’s good to know in case the auto SCT fails (which is 30% chance so they always need to have plan B). So all this good news in one day!!! We are going to Austin to celebrate. I hope I can sleep tonight -- I feel like I’ve been having a mini heart stroke all day long. A huge THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers, positive thoughts, encouragement and all kinds of support – it all worked!!! Love and hugs, and kisses to everyone!!!
P.S.: here are some pics from our 10th aniversary and the bold me.
My PET is NEGATIVE and my oncologists think I am in remission and ready for transplant. I also saw the BMT onc -- they want to proceed with the auto SCT ASAP since I finally achieved remission. So far, looks like I'll start the transplant next Thursday -- I'll get a new combination of drugs (trial study) for the monster chemo: Busulfan & Melphalan (BM) instead of the traditional BEAM. I should be done by the end of the month in time of Andryusha’s first birthday; we thank God for my awesome manager Michelle who offered to host and organize a party for Andryusha – we obviously would not be able to pull this off ourselves.
And another sweet piece of news: my only brother is a PERFECT match! Can you believe it! Not that I need it now (I’ll be using my own cells) but it’s good to know in case the auto SCT fails (which is 30% chance so they always need to have plan B). So all this good news in one day!!! We are going to Austin to celebrate. I hope I can sleep tonight -- I feel like I’ve been having a mini heart stroke all day long. A huge THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers, positive thoughts, encouragement and all kinds of support – it all worked!!! Love and hugs, and kisses to everyone!!!
P.S.: here are some pics from our 10th aniversary and the bold me.
posted by Natalia @ 12:09 AM
12 Comments:
At 2:49 AM,
Khodadad said…
well well well, I can't say much except congratulations. I am sure all the friends will be happy to hear this battle has been won. We met up with your brother (Dannik and I) to help him out with some stuff in English and it was good to see him as in a representative of the family and convey to him all the things we really wanted to say as if we were with you guys. Good work you guys. You deserve this sweet taste of victory. Victory over all the evils in the world including cancer. We love you guys so much. Please come to Moldova so we can all share with you this wonderful event and bring Andryusha along so he can meet his buddies here. Ruhullah loves little ones which is good since we are expecting number two in January. Anywayz congrats, congrats, congrats...you've inspired us all. By the way Natalia you look good bald. We saw Dannik bald and that was a nightmare...smiles.
The Ardjomandis.
At 8:19 AM,
Anonymous said…
It's so awesome to hear such great news. BTW - both of you look great!
raul and diana
At 9:43 AM,
Anonymous said…
Fenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks God Almighty! Our family is so happy for you dear Natalia. We look forward getting together to embrace you, Raymond and Andryusha.
We should remember in our life that if we have some tests just look at your steadfastness, courage and determination. Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!!
With much love ... Mioara, Anisa & Samandar
At 12:48 PM,
Anonymous said…
What a joyeous time! What a joyful day to celebrate!
We are just thrilled at all the positive and exciting news, Natalia! My mom, Aaron's family, Aaron and I couldn't be more ecstatic for You, Raymond and Andrew.
We send you all of our love.
Belated Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary.
Mary & Aaron & Family
At 10:01 PM,
Anonymous said…
You have been in my thoughts and prayers all the time. I am very happy you have such positive news.
Natalia you are gorgeous and will always be!!!
Thank you for keeping us up to date. I feel closer all the time!
Happy Anniversary to you both!!!
Huge prayers to you!!
Much love,
Bahiyyih Mickler (Belize)
At 10:40 AM,
Anonymous said…
Natashen'ka,
Congratulations to all of you. Such a wonderful news. We've been thinking of you a lot, your family is always in our prayers. And please do consider visiting us in DC when all the bad things are behind you.
With warmest love,
Nastia, Sasha, Danik, Maxik, Misha
P.S. Belated congratulations on the 10 year wedding anniversary. Our 9th one is coming up soon - almost forgot about it too.
At 8:41 PM,
Anonymous said…
Natasha, I am so glad to hear the good news! I always hope to open your blog and see some encouraging reports. I am very happy for you, Raymond and Andryusha! Keep on fighting!!! I believe in you!
With Love,
Julia
At 9:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Congratulations!!! I am from the hodgkin's web board and I am always so happy to hear of your good news! You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep strong, you are a fighter and you'll win the battle! carry on...just have a little bit more in kicking cancer's booty! :-) Maureen
P.S. Happy 10th!! My husband and I just celebrated our 18th on 9/2. It's great to grow together and wonderful to have a supportive and loving husband. You two look so happy despite the circumstance. The love you share will carry you both through. God Bless!
At 9:01 PM,
Anonymous said…
Congratulations!!! I am from the hodgkin's web board and I am always so happy to hear of your good news! You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep strong, you are a fighter and you'll win the battle! carry on...you have a little bit more to finalize kicking cancer's booty! :-) Maureen
P.S. Happy 10th!! My husband and I just celebrated our 17th on 9/2. It's great to grow together and wonderful to have a supportive and loving husband. You two look so happy despite the circumstance. The love you share will carry you both through. God Bless!
At 1:53 AM,
Anonymous said…
Dearest Natashenika!!!
We were so happy to hear these news!!! I showed it to Mrs. Grossman, who's sitting next to me and she was very happy to hear and send you their congratulations as well.
Blessed God!!! It is so great!!!
Congratulations!!! And we are looking forward to see you here in Haifa for the "thank visit" :-)
with love
Liudmila, Serghei, Ilia
At 11:28 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hey, I am very happy to hear that you are doing good. You guys look great in the pictures. You look beautiful with shaved hair. I like the look. I would like to see you guys soon. The weather is nice and good for walking through the river walk.
diana
At 9:36 PM,
Unknown said…
Hi Natalia, it's Sarah from the Hodgkins board! You look absolutely BEAUTIFUL BALD!!
It's been a little while since we heard from you, so I hope you're weathering the SCT as well as you can and that you're not suffering too much. I'm doing rads now and am going in for my SCT on October 10th, so I'm eager for word from you for both sincerely caring and utterly selfish reasons! ;)
Much love and best wishes to you and your husband, baby, and family. My heart is with you and you're in my prayers.
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