Hi, again.

Hi, friends. I'm really sorry it has been such a long time since I've posted anything. A lot has gone on in the past couple of weeks! I got home from the hospital, as you know, almost two weeks ago. Two days later, I got a fever and was readmitted to the hospital. There's a very long story to go along with that, but long story short, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with me and I went home a few days later. The reason I haven't posted anything, though, is that the whole incident - getting a fever, being readmitted, waiting around for a diagnosis and hearing many different stories and answers - was very frustrating. I felt like having to go back into the hospital was a setback, yet another problem, a delay in my recovery. I was so angry and upset that I didn't feel like writing anything on here or talking to anyone. I just wanted to get through it and get on with my recovery.

After talking to my mom and the doctors and nurses, I realize now that little bumps in the road like what I experienced last week are just that - bumps on the road to recovery, and they're to be expected. I'll get over them, and they do not change the direction of my progress. Bumps or no bumps, I'm still going forward toward a cure and a long, healthy life.

I realized also that I had unrealistic expectations of myself and my body. I thought I'd just sail smoothly through the recovery process, without a hitch. I'm happier and less anxious now that I understand and expect that there will be little bumps. And if caught early (they will be - I go for check-ups twice a week), they'll remain little bumps, and we'll take care of them, and move on, move forward.

This week has gone well, and I'm hoping for another good week next week. I think I'm beginning to learn the art of taking life day by day. I'm working on it, anyway. Maybe I should say, I'm hoping for a good day today.

I'll try to be better about keeping you posted on here! Thank you all so much for your continued concern, support, and friendship. Happy Valentine's Day. :-)

News flash!

It's official, folks. I'm home! I am currently sitting in my own cozy house, in my own comfy bed, ready to settle down for a full night's sleep without any interruptions. Hooray!

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything for a few days - I was feeling lazy. Everything has been going well, though. My neutrophil count is now over 3000, and my other blood cells are coming in nicely, too. Know what that means? My new stem cells are taking hold! They're making platelets and red blood cells all on their own. I'm still going to need some help in the form of some transfusions for the next several weeks, but hey, it's a start!

Speaking of starts, here's another one! My hair is starting to come back! I was so surprised when I looked in the mirror yesterday to find little brown hairs sprouting out of my head. The last time I had a transplant, it took almost 3 months for my hair to even start to come in! Right now it's just fuzz, but like I said earlier, it's a start.

I'm sensing a theme here. I'm experiencing lots of new beginnings, all at once. It's exciting, but overwhelming ... happy, but scary, too. But oh, it is nice to be home.

I'm going back to the clinic tomorrow and Thursday for check-ups and blood work, but then I have the whole weekend off. I'm actually kind of excited about the Superbowl, even though I don't care about either of the teams. Anyone doing anything fun on game day?

Love to all.