A belated happy anniversary!

It's been a year since my stem cell transplant and I'm in remission!!!  I put together this little video to express my thoughts.  It's not the best quality and I seem a bit too serious and the lighting is pretty bad.  My son the film student will be upset that I did this on my iPad without him.  Sorry, Joseph!!!!  I should have asked for help!

Has it been one year already?

Well, almost.  August 23rd is the actual one year anniversary of my stem cell transplant. But on this day last year, I was at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center for the second day of stem cell collection.  Today, I was at Dana-Farber for my childhood immunizations. I had 5 in all:

• DTaP
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hib
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal

Now that's 6 but it came in 5 shots - 2 in one arm, 3 in the other.  Ouch, ouch, ouch - my arms are very sore:-(  However, since they are not live vaccines, I won't suffer through the flu-ish symptoms that often accompany vaccinations.

Other news from my visit with Dr. A:  no news is good news!  My myeloma remains quiet and I remain in remission, thanks be!  My white blood cells and my platelets continue to hover on the low side but this seems to be a part of my 'new normal.'  Next month - my Zometa infusion, but I am done with the pantamidine, and will soon be done with the acyclovir and folic acid.  It will be good to be taking fewer pills every day!

On a different note, Team Multiple Miracles has surpassed its goal of $10, 000!  We are at $10, 385 and the donations continue to arrive.  The love, support, and generosity are truly overwhelming.  My family and I feel blessed and so fortunate to have such an outpouring from our family, friends, and colleagues.  I know the funds raised for the MMRF will be well-spent, as 90% of all donations to the MMRF go directly to research. Someday, before we go over the rainbow, there will be a cure!

Update on Team Multiple Miracles

Last Friday, I wrote that Team Multiple Miracles had raised $2,925.  A week and a day later, we are at $9,370!!!  What a week!  Such amazing generosity from a diverse group of friends and colleagues!  At this rate, we will not only meet our goal but surpass it.  It's wonderful for those of us with multiple myeloma.  If every team in all of the Race for Research events around the country meets its goal, so much good research will be funded by the MMRF and the chances of our living longer and healthier lives improves.

I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed and who has prayed for us in the multiple myeloma community!

 Team Multiple Miracles

BC+D may help others

Today I was interviewed by a writer for Diabetes Forecast, the magazine of the American Diabetes Association.  She is writing an article on diabetes and cancer.  In doing an internet search, she found my blog, tracked me down, and arranged a time for us to talk.  We did so today and the article is scheduled to appear in the October issue.  Whether my story or BC+D will appear in the article is not clear, but it will be an interesting article to read.  I'll be sure to share a link to the article here.

Update on Team Multiple Miracles:  We now have 18 team members and have raised $2,925!  Still lots of time to support us at Team Multiple Miracles

Have a great weekend!