I'm just sitting in the waiting area of the local Chevy dealer waiting for my Suburban to get an oil change. I've already made my rounds on the lot gawking at the new Tahoes and Suburbans. And of course the showroom... where my Corvette always sits... this time it was a smurf blue one...not my first choice of color. 😉 Having a lovely conversation with an older woman who joined me. Service manager walks in... "Mrs. Dixon, you're all set. As far as the air bag light - it's a sensor that's out... new part and labor comes to $450.00. Let me know if we can proceed." I just giggle. But, the sweet woman I had just become fast friends with? She about fell off the couch as if it were her news. LOL!! She felt so bad for me. Could not believe what I had just been told... and quickly asks the gentleman if it was covered under some sort of warranty. LOL (totally giggling to myself as this all replays in my head). She looks at me, and with the most sincere, concerned look on her face says, "I feel like the doctor just came in the room and delivered some awful, terrible, blow of some health news."
I let out a huge belly laugh!!!! My response... "Oh, sweet friend... I've had just THAT and this... THIS is nothing. He could have told me all 4 sensors were out and I still would have giggled. Sure, it stinks. But, being told I had leukemia did NOT make me giggle. This is just a car. It's all good." As I shrugged my shoulders and handed over my card... She walked over, hugged me, complimented me on my spirit and said it's no wonder I beat that shit.... 😉🙌
I had my 2nd birthday on August 4th! 2 years already since 8 million of Greg's stem cells were infused into my body, found their home, and started producing healthy shit show free blood cells. God is good! A month ago I had my 4th round of re-vaccinations and now I'm all up to date on immunizations as if I were a real life 2 year old 😉😉. Well, except for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). That's a live vaccine and my immune system isn't quite ready for that. Another year until that one.
And last week I finally learned my test results... STILL 100% male 😜, STILL no sign of CML and STILL no sign of MDS. Big point up to the sky with a big "THANK YOU!" I am now officially off ALL medications. Up until that last appointment I was still being seen monthly. In my best Dr. Mehta impersonation, "everything is looking absolutely fantastic. I will see you in 3 months."
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| My nurses taking off my bandaids and enjoying it way too much |
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| Just some vaccines |
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| ⚓⚓⚓ |
He loosened the reigns a bit. That makes me happy and anxious at the same time. Happy because I’m doing great. Anxious because... well, just because. There’s a peace of mind when you’re so closely monitored every month with 15 viles of blood work! Obviously, my stem cell team of brains is on speed dial and just a call away if anything should freak me out ;)
I enjoy talking about my journey. It's a story of hope, faith and fight. So therapeutic for me. After my diagnosis, I, personally, needed and wanted to talk to other people who have been/was going through the fight. I needed to hear I was going to be ok, what struggles to expect, what victories to celebrate. It helped me in so many ways. So much that after seeing the brochures everywhere in the hospital and a couple commercials, I decided to apply to become an Imerman Angel. Imerman Angels is a volunteer organization for people to get matched up to someone with a similar story and be there for them as often or as little as they wish. One on one cancer support. I've never been so excited to receive a phone call telling me I got a position! While I've only had one match-up so far, it is such a neat feeling to be able to give back in this way. They also said there's a possibility I will blog for them someday!
Coming up quickly on the "anniversary" of being told I was full of a shit show. 4 years ago. Man, time flies... even when you're not having fun.. And here I am, on the other side of it. Just crazy. Something that often gets brought up in my cancer support groups is how we wish people would understand just because we're in remission/shit show free, doesn't mean life returned to complete normalcy. Many of us struggle with one or many side effects still daily. Like this menopause!!! What in the world!! Go ahead, cringe. Those hot flash ordeals are real. My gynecologist says there is a possibility I could come out of it and re-enter it again in my later years. I'll put money on it, that happens because I'm Rhonda. And that's how I roll. Ladies, here's proof for you... males DO go through the change of life too!!! LOL!! The constant worry of relapse, the constant fear, the constant trying to be so positive and upbeat and wearing a brave face.... will it ever go away? Not sure, but that's why we all gotta laugh to keep from crying.
OR the one that still acts like salt in an open wound... the emotional ride. The emotional toll that weighs on my heart. Like learning the awful, blow of health news that my sister in law, Jennifer, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
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| 💗💗💗 |
I know... it's okay... it punched me in the gut too. After talking with Jerry and learning this news, I hung up with him and just cried. I was SO angry. I was so sad. I was so... deflated. So many emotions came flooding back. I allowed myself to have that moment - more like few hours - and then I put myself in Jen's shoes. There was NO time for pity parties or why me/us... AGAIN... There was only time for putting up our dukes and staying positive and FIGHTING THE FIGHT! I knew Jen would have none of that! Going to my boxing class the very next morning was the best thing for me. That bag felt all my emotions. This woman is ready to kick some cancer A$$. She’s already been through so much, including a double mastectomy. She has finally healed enough to begin her chemo treatments... today in fact was her first one. In her words, "lets do what we need to do and get on with life!" Warrior! 💪🙏🙌
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| Team Gillund |
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| Maddie's softball team going pink for Jennifer at National's! |
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| Just do it! |
So, as stated in this blog's title... I have a favor to ask, dear Army of mine. Can y'all please storm the heavens for my beautiful sis in law, Jennifer?! For my brother, Jerry, and their 3 amazing kids, Colton, Garrett and Maddie! She's got this! They got this! We all got this! It takes a village (or Army) as we all well know.
Kendall asked me yesterday as we drove past Bull Valley Ford, "Mommy, look at all their pretty pink balloons! Is it someones birthday?" Gosh, I love the innocence of a child. I just simply answered with a "I think it is!" and we were off the conversation. How fitting it was October 1 - the start of breast cancer awareness month. What I really wanted to say to her was "No, those are for Auntie Jenny."
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| Auntie Jenny's Balloons :) |
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| YES SHE WILL!!! |
We love you Auntie Jenny!!!! Go get 'em!!!!!!!
So, this isn't the way I want anyone to be a special guest on my blog... but, life is life.
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| Change is good |
Sorry it's been almost a year since I last wrote. I cannot believe that... although, the way my mind races lately, I can believe it. It was time to sit down and write something!
Happy Fall Y'all! Be well! Send those prayers up!
Love,
Rhonda Kay
xoxo
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| Celebrating our 9th Anniversary! |
