Amazing is Our God

Heeeyyyy! Long time, no update….I’ve even lost track of how many days post transplant I am…let me count real quick…..ahhhh yes, 197 days!  I am OFF of my immunosuppressant! The taper ended last Wednesday. I’m still having skin issues, but trying to manage it topically with creams to avoid having to go on an oral steroid and immunosuppressant. Despite these issues, I’m still feeling blessed every single day! I’ve come a long way with the help of our amazing and perfect God…..

I had my 180 day post transplant follow up. They did another bone marrow biopsy and blood tests. I won’t find out the results until I meet with my doctor next week. Feeling pretty optimistic since my blood counts have all been good, and I haven’t gotten a call from the office. I’m pretty sure if something was up with my biopsy they wouldn’t wait two weeks to tell me! There is always some worry though. Whenever I get a bruise (which is still pretty often) or whenever I feel really tired, I wonder. I guess it’s just going to be like that for the rest of my life. I just have to lean to the Lord and pray that I will never have to face cancer again.

Now that I am off of my Prograf, I will see what the doctor will clear me to do. I’ve been a big cheater when it comes to going out in public. It wasn’t doing me any good couping myself up and not getting out and about, so I’ve been pretty much doing everything I was before, but avoiding very crowded places. I am hoping that he will clear me to go back to work. I am still working full time from home, but miss being around people. I also am unable to do certain things my job requires. My colleagues have been so understanding and helpful through all of this!

Like I said before, I’m dealing with some skin issues. Some might be GVHD, and some might just be side effects of the transplant and changes to my body. My skin is always dry (even being in Georgia) so I’m constantly applying moisturizer. I get dry patches that look like eczema so apply a steroid cream daily. I also have something called seborrheic dermatitis. Basically dandruff, but it’s on my face, ears and scalp. Had to go see a dermatologist because it was beyond what my doctor’s office could diagnose and treat. I had been having scalp issues for a while….dry, flaky, itchy, but was just managing it with whatever I had on hand. Then I broke out into a horrible rash on my face and needed treatment asap! The derm prescribed me some medications that eased the rash, but is still not fully treating it, so I got some other stuff that so far seems to be helping. I guess in the grand scheme of things, I am fortunate not to be dealing with any other issues.

Our sweet 2 year old Londynn started school last week! I stayed home with her the first year, then when I went back to work she was put in daycare. Once I was diagnosed we had to take her out, and my mom and sister watched her. Now that I am back to work we had to put her back in. I am actually thrilled about it. We found an excellent school near our house where I think she is going to thrive. They also have cameras so I can check in every so often J

We had quite a roller coaster the past month or so. For a few weeks we thought that Braxton didn’t have a job anymore. Long story short, the school he works at brought in a new head coach and wasn’t going to retain any of the existing coaches. BUT, he did end up keeping Braxton so we are very grateful! God always provides!

Braxton and I had our 3 year anniversary last month. It seems like it’s been so much longer with everything we have been through together. Sometimes I get frustrated and wonder why all of these bad things have happened to us. Growing up, I lived a very care free, happy life. I always had what I needed and often got what I wanted. My parents provided a very nice lifestyle for me and my sister. They are still always there for us whenever we need them. Until I turned 27, I don’t ever remember experiencing a very hard time in my life. Call it what you want….spoiled, lucky, blessed. That was until I was diagnosed with Leukemia for the first time. That hit hard and was the most shocking news for everyone since other than an occasional cold or flu I never got sick. I knew there was no other option but to fight and beat it. That I did, and was blessed enough to have chemotherapy alone get rid of it, for 3 years anyway. By a miracle I got pregnant shortly after and we had our amazingly perfect Londynn. Then my cancer came back, and although it wasn’t as much as a shock as the first time the heartache was 100 times worse knowing that I had a 1 year old daughter that needed me. Again, no other option but to fight and beat it. This time would be different as I would have to go through a stem cell transplant to give me my best option of survival and cure. Now I’m 30 and together my husband and I have been through more than most people go through in a life time. Don’t get me wrong…with as many challenges we’ve had in the 4 years we’ve been together, we have had even more blessings. God continues to show us his grace and mercy….it’s absolutely amazing. There’s no other way to describe it. Amazing is our God.

One thing I’ve learned through all of this is our God is always faithful. I’ve learned to let go of my worries and leave it all to God. I used to always worry about things….part of my wanting to be in control all of the time, but it never did me any good but cause me stress. I admit, I still worry at times, but once I get a grip and remember that I don’t need to I immediately stop. He has never failed me. NEVER. When people say “things will work out, they always do,” it’s true. I am a living testimony to God’s faithfulness. Although things don’t always go as we planned, He will never leave our sides and will make sure we are taken care of. Have Faith and Hope….they are glorious. Amazing is our God.