Latest and GREATEST results!
Once again, I've gone for my PET/CT/bloodwork/ex-ray tests and as of now I am all CLEAN!! What more could I ask for? I am HAPPY!
There are still some residual opacities in my lungs but since they aren't growing or moving my doctors feel confident I am ok. And while my bloodwork is still below the normal levels it's made some incremental improvement and since a slow recovery is expected after the transplant I am happy with any progress. My major concerns are still the fatigue and some dizziness when I bend down (due to low blood pressure in the 80s/50s range). Thus, celebration this time is not as excubirant as before; in fact, I can no longer be childishly happy because I know that sometimes victory is just a matter of luck -- I am sad when I think of Alese and even more sad when I think of my two fellow Hodgkins board members who had their transplant at about the same time as I did but who unfortunately relapsed. Dave has 2 kids (4 and 8) and Sarah has Lorainne (her partner) and 7-8 pets. I wish they'll find some way to cure them or at least buy them another 10-15 years of life. Both Sarah and Dave have great positive spirits, love life and so deserve to be cured.
So while I proudly wear my new t-shirt :) (see below) I do acknowledge the bittersweat taste of my small victories of every 3 months....I am so glad to be reliefed for this long and hope that my fatigue will improve and that I can start the "new normal" life working and raising a family in the next 6-8 months.
Enjoy the upcoming summer! Now that I finally have the doctor's permission to travel I will be leaving for Moldova and so my posts will be not as frequent but I'll try to post once a month. Hugs to everyone!
There are still some residual opacities in my lungs but since they aren't growing or moving my doctors feel confident I am ok. And while my bloodwork is still below the normal levels it's made some incremental improvement and since a slow recovery is expected after the transplant I am happy with any progress. My major concerns are still the fatigue and some dizziness when I bend down (due to low blood pressure in the 80s/50s range). Thus, celebration this time is not as excubirant as before; in fact, I can no longer be childishly happy because I know that sometimes victory is just a matter of luck -- I am sad when I think of Alese and even more sad when I think of my two fellow Hodgkins board members who had their transplant at about the same time as I did but who unfortunately relapsed. Dave has 2 kids (4 and 8) and Sarah has Lorainne (her partner) and 7-8 pets. I wish they'll find some way to cure them or at least buy them another 10-15 years of life. Both Sarah and Dave have great positive spirits, love life and so deserve to be cured.
So while I proudly wear my new t-shirt :) (see below) I do acknowledge the bittersweat taste of my small victories of every 3 months....I am so glad to be reliefed for this long and hope that my fatigue will improve and that I can start the "new normal" life working and raising a family in the next 6-8 months.
Enjoy the upcoming summer! Now that I finally have the doctor's permission to travel I will be leaving for Moldova and so my posts will be not as frequent but I'll try to post once a month. Hugs to everyone!
7 Comments:
At 12:19 PM, TheBehst said…
Can you leave a small corner of the world for me? You look wonderful in smile and in spirit.
At 10:41 PM, Darrel Hale said…
Natalia- I am so glad to hear that your scans continue to come back clean. I wanted to thank you for all the encouragement you have give me through out my transplant. I agree about the bittersweet victories, but don't question that you made it while other's don't...thus is the dance of life.
Enjoy your travels!
Darrel
At 12:48 PM, Anonymous said…
Thanks for the update Natalia. You are doing a great service by sharing your experience and victories one step at a time!
Saludos y abrazos de toda la familia!
At 10:16 AM, Anonymous said…
So proud of you accomplishments. We all miss you at work and look forward to having you with us soon.
At 9:22 PM, Anonymous said…
Natasha, I am so glad to see that you are doing good. You look beautiful also! It was a tough journey, and I am very happy to see you victorious!
Love,
Julia Brensel
At 3:16 PM, Anonymous said…
Hi Natalia...so glad you were able to get over to visit family. Hope you are having a GREAT time. Let me know when you are back in town, looking forward to having lunch again! Miss you...
Lisa N
At 12:46 AM, Anonymous said…
Love the hair!
and thank you for all your kind words...glad to hear of your clean scans
J
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