It's Happening

I hardly know where to begin. I'm currently in the middle of a tornado of events, most of which are positive but shocking. I finished my second and most difficult chemo round about 2 weeks ago and did a repeat PET scan just to be sure of the previous results. I got the phone call just last night....the scan shows absolutely no cancer activity whatsoever!! My doctor was so excited for me on the phone and he told me that the transplant team over at Johns Hopkins was so siked to hear the news. They want me to prepare for a transplant set for March 16th!!!

So naturally this morning I got a phone call from the transplant coordinator to discuss what needs to be done. I've already had a dental exam last week which showed no need for any additional work, and once I get the paperwork done on Tuesday (stupid Presidents Day weekend) they will start setting up my appointments for next week!! She told me however, I need to start getting my caregivers organized so that I start getting 24/7 care starting March 7th....which is only a couple weeks away!!

Yup...this has definitely been me since I got the call.

All day I've been scrambling to get in touch with a few people who previously offered their assistance and I have a few days set...but still a lot of empty slots. I need to get 24/7 care for at least the first month of treatment (the second month, my mother is planning on taking unpaid leave to be there for me).

I know it's a lot to ask of my friends but any help is so appreciated!! It's going to be complicated as I'm working with a lot of people's work schedules. It's truly a stressful scramble, but I just need to keep reminding myself I still have time. I just hope it all works out...and I'm sure in the end it will.

I'm also a little on edge since I'm going to have to get another catheter put into my chest on the 9th and I'm already really kinda worried about that. When I had my chemo port put into my chest 2.5 years ago, not only was I completely awake and aware of everything, but it just wasn't a good experience at all; a bit traumatic to be honest. Hopefully, Johns Hopkins will be a little more considerate of my anxiety. I just really don't like the idea of having something else inserted into my chest...ugh. I'm trying to convince my mind that it'll be like Iron Man and his arc reactor. If he can be so chill with that, then I can be ok with this thing in my chest for 60 days.

I really shouldn't be worrying so much though...instead, I should be excited. I beat the odds! I've done what the doctors thought was impossible. I took the risk of chemo and ended up being on top with a chance of a temporary cure. I say temporary because most of the doctors believe that this transplant will only buy me time...possibly long enough until the next best cure comes along. The transplant alone is a major risk with a 1/3 possibility that I may not survive...but I'll take it the chance!! I've been fighting this for almost 3 years now...I'll be glad to finally be free.