Here we are on the verge of another trip to Houston, this time for the follow-up tests that I put off last month. December is always so busy with the holidays, and frankly, John and I just didn't feel inclined to make a seven-hour drive to Houston, so, I rescheduled my appointments for the next available time slots, this Wednesday and Thursday. While I'm not really looking forward to the drive, I do feel very hopeful about the tests. I will undergo a PET scan, which should te

When an argument gave way to grace . It was a crisp October afternoon as my husband John turned into the north entrance of the parking lot of The Woodlands Medical Specialists in Pensacola. I was scheduled for what we expected would be a brief visit to the Infusion Suite where RN Becky would give me a Filgrastim injection. As we rounded the first turn in the congested parking lot, I spied reverse lights on a large white SUV about to pull out of a parking space close to our en

The results from my first follow-up PET scan were less than stellar. The written analysis of the scan is always available first; the scan comes a day or so later. After reading the report, I wasn't terribly interested in seeing the scan. I guess in my mind I had already determined it wasn't very positive. Has this million-dollar therapy been a waste of time and resources?   I began to wonder.   I was expecting to see an immediate improvement, and instead, most of the SUV (sta

I have been sick with a chest cold since John and I returned to Florida last Saturday. That's why I haven't written to update everyone. It's no wonder I'm sick because the CAR T therapy tanks the immune system. Yesterday I saw Dr. Joudeh and had labs drawn. As soon as he saw the results, he called me personally to tell me I would need to go in for filgrastim injections three days in a row starting this afternoon with another three-day regimen next week. That, along with the B

Waiting used to feel like wasted time. Lately, I’m learning it’s just another form of faith in motion.

As treatment days blur together, I’m reminded that healing is more than medicine—it’s gratitude, patience, and the steady practice of hope.

Houston wasn’t on my bucket list, but it’s where the road to healing has led me. Between the hospital visits, city noise, and unexpected...

Friday's visit brought encouraging news — and a renewed sense of gratitude for small mercies along the way. We again met with APRN Michelly who covered my labs from earlier that morning and answered all our questions. Through MyChart, the online patient portal, I can see my lab results as soon as they’re available. Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned what to look for — especially my white blood cell count. If it’s too low, I know I’ll get a Filgrastim shot. They’re not real

At my visit last Tuesday, APN Michelly told us the FDA had approved a shorter monitoring period following CAR T.

"There will be more whiskers, more purrs, and, someday, more goodbyes. Yet each new companion will carry forward the lessons of those who came before — reminders that love is always worth the risk of loss."

Welcome to the 15th floor of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. This is where I eventually ended up last Thursday morning, although when I...

It's long past time that I wrote a proper update, so over the next few days, I'm going to give it my best. John and I have been in...

I’m going to drop a quick note here to let everyone know I’m doing all right. This experience has been a challenge, and I look forward to...

I think I could never be an addict. It takes too much effort. It's more than just swallowing pills or guzzling alcohol. It's a constant...

UPDATE: Our return to Houston has been postponed until 9 September. I will be undergoing additional chemotherapy through the last week...

The Apheresis Machine The Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) placed in my neck for the apheresis Getting ready for apheresis Under...

This relapse truly hit me like a ton of bricks. I have so many thoughts to share.

Last night I had a tornado dream… the first one in a long, long time. Tornadoes are one of two recurring themes for me. The other...

Well, the unthinkable has happened. I must admit I had not really considered it possible. I've been doing so well since the stem cell...