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

CT Results

Hi My last CT scan showed multiple thorasic hernias. I finally found a surgeon who could read the scans. He said they were there but so tiny that they could be ignored so they are officially being ignored! yay!

Update from Sollaworld!

Hey! My port wound is healing very nicely. I had another biopsy today- I'll get the results in 3 weeks. My blood work looked great and so far so good. I'll update after the results. I am 22 months post transplant! Take care, Beryl

Port-landia

Hello! I went to Richmond today to have my port removed! All went well- the doc said it was thoroughly encapsulated by a kind of scar tissue and was tough to get out..but he did it. He was wonderful. The Doc, Brian Strife, is the soon to be fiance of one of my colleagues daughters at PVCC AND was best friends with a guy my niece dated in med school and a casual friend. He was also the doc who removed my other port about a year ago. What are the odds? It was very comforting to know who was doing the work. It's a common surgery but it's still surgery. I'm resting- not doing any heavy lifting (literally!) and of course James is taking excellent care of me. I'm laying around like a carp and he's doing everything! I will have a scar on my chest and I'm starting to make up stories about how I got it. Truth....optional! I have a biopsy in a few weeks- I'll report results in late august/early september. I am feeling great- 100%. I'm also feeling lucky and grateful. Take care, Beryl

Results!

Hello! I had a good day with the Richmond Docs today. My biopsy came back and the results are perfect. I also got a few more vaccines and made a date to remove my port (July 16th). I'm excited about that. The port is not a good summer look! It's a small procedure (aren't they all??) in and out the same day. I have a few small things that I need to follow up with a local doc but nothing unusual or scary. I keep forgetting that I still have to have normal glitches like everyone else! I'm feeling great and have almost completely stopped napping. I do it for fun now- not necessity. My next biopsy is at the end of July so I'm still on a 3 month cycle. Not forever. I think until my 2nd anniversary. My billiruben is almost normal and my blood levels have remained stable. So, I'm a lucky duck! Here's to a lovely, uneventful summer! Beryl

Today and Today and Today

Hi, I go to VCU for all the tests tomorrow BUT TODAY is my 18th month anniversary! I had the transplant 18 months ago!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!!! I will be celebrating by being normal and healthy! Take care, Beryl

More test test tests

Hi,
I'm almost a year an a half old! (since the transplant!!) I go in on April 30th for another biopsy, CT Scan and Pulmonary function tests. I still have my port which is NOT attractive! Just sayin.... I'll keep you posted.
Take care,
beryl

It's all Good

Hi,
Sorry for the delay. I went to Richmond last thursday for the biopsy result. The doc said I still have male DNA and I'm still 100% engrafted. He said the results could not be better! So I'm happy! I'm fighting a cold again- my second this winter, but it seems pretty normal- no big deal. I am resting, doing all the stuff you are supposed to do and taking care of myself. It's snowing outside- I'll take a pic with the computer for you!
At the end of April I go in for another biopsy and all the pulmonary function tests again, as well as more vaccinations.Oh Boy!
Take care,
Beryl

Biopsy Day!

Hi,
I went to Richmond today for my 3 month bone marrow biopsy. I'll have the results in a month. In April I go in for massive testing- chest, lungs, another bone marrow biopsy and more immunizations. According to my most recent bloodwork my hemoglobin is getting better but my biliruben is edging slowly back up. Nothing to panic about- just something to watch. We came home and had a lonngggggg nap. They pump me full of drugs that make me sleepy. I don't know what James's excuse was!
Take care,
Beryl

Helloooooo

Hi,
Just a quick update. I go in next Monday for a biopsy and more immunizations. I'm getting more energy and don't nap most days. I'm still seeing my integrative medicine doc and nutritionist. They've got me swilling vitamins like mad. I'm back in the classroom and so far so good. Also I had a cold about a month ago and it behaved just like a normal cold. No drama, no hospital no nothing! Just a normal cold meeting a normal immune system. Pretty pretty pretty good!
Take care,
Beryl

Today's Check Up

Hi,
I went to Richmond today and had lab work done, received my first Hepatitis B vaccination and spoke with Dr. McCarty. He says everything looks good and that I'm moving out of the danger zone for relapse. he said 80% of the people who are going to relapse do so in the first year. I'm at 14 months. The other 20% who are going to relapse do so in the first three years so my odds are getting better everyday. I DO NOT want to do this again! I'm still a little anemic and my blood is a little off but it's heading in the right direction. More bloody steaks please! I'm exercising, juicing, tapping, visualizing, meditating, taking my vitamins and herbs and resting. So my goal for the new year is to keep kicking butt! My next visit is Jan 30th for another bone marrow biopsy and the second hepatitis vaccination. Also I think I'm starting to look more like a cat than I use to.
Grateful, Grateful and more grateful!(for my good health- not more biopsies or for looking like another species!)
Beryl

December 5th....what the what!!!!!

Hello,
A month has gone by! I missed my appt with the docs because I had a cold and they don't care for people with colds around newly transplanted patients with no immune system!!! Unlike ME who has a shiny new immune system!!!! I phoned the docs and the nurse said my tests were all good..everything was the same ..100 percent engrafted..no lung issues etc. So that was great but just as great was the fact that I caught a cold and it didn't turn into pneumonia and chest infection and put me if the hospital or worse. It was just a cold. So my immune system is working. the docs said getting sick was good...it built up my immunities!!! So it's looking good. I'm still taking naps when I can. if I have to miss it I feel a little logy and then perk up. I'm back at the gym Now that my cold is better. Every event feels like an occasion. I keep thinking of where I was a year ago and it blows my mind. I'm still very careful and am the queen of hand sanitizer. you should see me at the gym wiping down the weights with antibacterial wipes. I make myself laugh! I find that the more I do the more I can do. I feel so lucky. I'm spending more time at school and next semester I teach in the classroom again. I see the students at school but I really miss the constant contact. So I'm heading into the holiday season with gratitude and a full heart. James is still very careful with me and as sweet as ever (mostly). My friends and family are close by and a pleasure and a comfort. Now where's my freakin Christmas tree!!!!
Take care and I'll keep posting!
B

It's Friday Friday Friday

Hi,
All the tests went well. I was a little barfy from the pain meds-not too too bad. I'll know the results of the CT scan and Biopsy in a month. Today I went to the gym for the first time! I did a body pump class. I was the one in the back of the room, covered in germ killer lotion and using baby weights! Slow and steady. I saw my friend, Marietta M. first thing and that felt like a good omen. I see the nutritionist next week so hopefully I'll get a ton more giant vitamins to take!!!
Have a lovely weekend,
Beryl