First day done! New Jewelry!

 Hi,
I had my first day of chemo. It went very well. Things are very streamlined and much quicker. Instead of 30 minutes of anti nausea drugs.....a pill!!! Instead of 2 hours of dripping Vidaza- 30 minutes! I had a private room and James was with me. I barely had time to listen to my chemo affirmation tape and I wwas done. The nurses were great and I saw Dr. Douvas (hem/onc) too. He's great, as well. I feel good- I'm about to do some work and then hang out on the hammock and visualize. Here's hoping the next 6 days go as smoothly.
I've been juicing meditating and visualizing. James has been doing lots of EMDR with me which helps so so much. Seriously people, marry a therapist!!!
Thanks for all of the good wishes and love. I need it. I wore my Virgin Mary necklace  (thank you Mari) for power and strength.
I'll write tomorrow.
En la luche,
Beryl

Doc says go!

Hi,
The doc called and said my bloodwork looks good and I can proceed to Chemo next weds. I've already worked with my acupuncturist and energy healer too. I am working in the garden today and later on I plan to lie on my hammock, eat organic cherries and read a trashy novel. Living the dream.
xoB

Latest from Chemo town

Hi,
I met with the chemo doc- Dr. Douvas. James and I liked him. He seems very conscientious and was very open to our many many questions. He said he thought me being so far along (almost 5 years) was possibly in my favor- he thought the fact that it took so long for for old cells to reappear meant I was strong and resisting the cells. He was cautiously optimistic. The whole vibe at the Emily Couric Center was good. Very light, well staffed and everyone was pleasant.
So..... the deal is this is about a 6 months thing... chemo, chemo, more donor cells, chemo, bone marrow biopsy, more donor cells and chemo. They'll probably do the biopsy's pretty often to see how I'm doing. At this point I will be completely donor again and I'll be awesome and that will be the end of my MDS. That's my plan anyhow. I do chemo for 7 days in a row (including weekends), then rest 3 weeks then start again. I start the chemo next weds. I don't know what time of day. I'll see the cville doc 2x a week maybe less throughout the whole deal. I'll get my donor cells in Richmond at VCU. I'm hoping to continue exercising, juicing, doing LOTS of EMDR, praying, spending time with the fam and trying to be as healthy and strong as possible. I'll be doing alternative therapies as well so my dance card will be full. I'll reach out for help and hope I have your prayers and positive energy.
I know I do.
More as this unfolds.
In health,
Beryl

Meeting with UVA doc on Tues

Hi,
My blood work came back from VCU and my counts are good so I'm in good shape to begin this process. I meet with Dr. Douvas at UVA next Tues to discuss the specific protocol. I'm feeling optimistic. Thank you for sending me emails with your good wishes and prayers. It means a lot and it helps me keep myself together. I spent the day with Thomas today. I was a little teary but mainly felt good. Being with him and my family and friends really binds me to this life. I was at graduation tonight, sitting with my friends, Tom and Barbara, and I was looking at the big PVCC Graduation 2015 sign and I was imagining looking at the same sign but with 2016, 2017, 2018..... I am making plans to remain strong and healthy.
I am anchoring myself to this sweet, sweet, life.
xoBeryl

Argh, not so much

Hi,
My bone marrow biopsy results from VCU weren't great. My old cells are starting to come back. I have to start chemo again and in a few months get another dose of my donor's cells. Hopefully it will work and I can avoid another big deal transplant. The chemo I'll be getting was the same stuff they used before. It was pretty mild and didn't interfere with my teaching. I'm freaked out about it. I was 6 months from my 5 year anniversary. I didn't expect this. Needless to say, I will rally and kick ass. There's no way I'm missing out on my grandbaby! So send me your best healing vibes and think of me kicking this things ass.
Heavy sigh,
Beryl
On the other hand, I looked REALLY great when I got the crappy news.

Last of the tests??

Hey,
Next Monday I head to VCU to get all the tests hopefully for the last time. They'll do the bone marrow biopsy, ct scan pulmonary function test and bone denisty scan. If all is well I think this may be my last set of these tests!!!!!!!
James will be with me as always and this year I'll have baby Thomas to think about!
Wish me luck,
Beryl

Fourth birthday...check!

Hi,
Just a quick update. I passed my fourth birthday on Oct 29th. I had a small celebration and a BIG bout of gratitude. The best thing in my very full and exciting life is my grandson. He is an angel baby and the sweetest of the sweet. A photo, you say?   Okay!
In Health and Kicking Ass,
Beryl

PS I am still juicing, eating organic, doing EMDR and exercising 4x a week plus gardening and of course, work. I'm also spending more time in the studio and just has a one person show!!!

Success!

Hey!
I had a biopsy and the mess o' tests two weeks ago and received my results today. My lungs are perfect, my bone marrow is perfect and I feel great. The nurses and docs were wonderful- I feel so lucky. I'm keeping up the rigorous routine of exercise, juicing, meditation etc etc and it is paying off. Congratulations to my transplant sisters, Gloria and Ashley. Both have hit their five year anniversary and both are wonderful inspirations to me.
In Health,
Beryl

Third Year Anniversary! WooHoo!!!!!!!

Hello,
So two days ago (Oct 29th) was my third anniversary (or birthday as we BMT folk like to say)! It actually feels so far in the past that it's hard to believe all that happened. I was working in the garden last weekend, digging up big plants and moving them into other parts of the garden. I wore a mask and gloves (I default to caution) but other than that I felt as I've always felt. Strong and capable. I've been working in the clay studio again and teaching up a storm at school. I'm exercising diligently and maintaining a VERY healthy, plant based diet. Organic as possible and juicing or blending greens almost everyday. My partner in health is the lovely James. I feel great. I'm fit (16 big girl push ups) and full of energy. I am the luckiest person in the world. It continues to be a team effort- great docs, great friends and a wonderful family.
In health,
Beryl

Great Results today!

Hi,
I went to Richmond today for my results. I saw the adorable Dr. Chung and he said my results were perfect! He said they could not have been better!!! I go back for tests in ONE YEAR!!!!!
This is big and fantastic news. This Oct 29th is my 3 year anniversary. I feel fantastic and super healthy! I'm still juicing, exercising, meditating, tapping, doing EMDR and taking great care of myself. Thanks for all of your support!
Yayyyyyyy, Beryl

I sure took my sweet old time!

Hi, All tests came back well. I continue to be the poster girl for transplant success. I'm still waiting for my darn billboard on I-95 near the hospital. I'm not getting any younger, people! When James and I were there last time several other patients commented that we looked like movie stars- I was compared to Jamie Lee Curtis and James looked like a generic leading man. I have to say- the bar is pretty low- lots of sweat pants and giant t-shirts in the waiting rooms. Plus there's the whole bald thing. Either way- I'm taking the compliments! We had a great Christmas. The kids came over for the big dinner and we had a wonderful time. Even though I'm doing so well, I feel grateful everyday. I'm working hard to keep my fitness level up and to maintain all the healthful habits I developed over the past two years. I definitely like getting older! Here's to a happy and healthy new year to all my family and friends. I continue to be a lucky duck. Gratefully, Beryl

PS I celebrated my two year transplant anniversary last week! Happy Birthday to me!

Getting the motherload of tests!~

Hi, I'm in Richmond today getting all the good tests: Bone Density Scan Pulmonary Function Test Bone Marrow Biopsy CT Scan So far I've done the first three. The bone density scan is normal- which is wonderful. I'll get the other results on Nov. 21st. If all is well I will change to having the biopsy every six months rather than every three months. Fingers crossed. James is with me as always and is being wonderful. I'll post when I have the results! xoBeryl

All Good News

Hi,
The latest biopsy results were great. I received the third hep C immunization and the polio vaccine. At the end of Oct I go in again for the massive tests again. (biopsy, pulmonary function, cat scan and a boatload of bloodwork) After that, if all is well, I'll be slowing down on the testing (yay).I am approaching my second birthday since the transplant- Oct. 29th. My doc said 80% of the people who are going to relapse do so in the first 18 months after the transplant. I'm 22 months out- so far so perfect! I'm still being cautious- lots of hand sanitizer, avoiding the sun, exercising, juicing, meditating, tapping etc etc. I'm staying busy with school and, of course, working on Obama events!
Yay,
B