Just got back from the doctor and we agreed to go forward with the transplant. I feel very optimistic about the whole thing. I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to erasing this thing once and for all and HOPEFULLY gaining the rest of my life as a result. The second biopsy showed a lower percentage of abnormal chromosomes but they were still present. Some might debate the idea of waiting to see what happens and then doing the transplant when/if the cancer cells appear. However, the chances of it working and the chances of my recovering more quickly and easily if I do it now are much better. I will have a couple of days of chemo, then the transplant and then I come home. If all goes well and there are no terrible infections or side-effects, my doctor said that I may actually recover from this more quickly than with previous treatments because I will have all new chromosomes. However, the rest of my immune system will need time to adjust and that is where the restrictions come in. I will be stuck at home for a while, but it may not be that terrible. Most importantly, I will be here with my family.

The lab technicians at the hospital were so encouraging this morning when I told them about what happened. One of them told me about a woman in her 80s who did the transplant and is now 3 years in remission and never had any side effects. They said that when she went in for treatment, she was wheelchair bound and could hardly move around and now she is active and healthy. If she can do it, I can do it! The most important piece will be finding a donor who matches me as closely as possible. So prayers and positive thoughts for that.

I have two other items that I am incredibly excited about that are making all of this so much easier. One is that my original nanny that I had for Ty and Kieran, and who continues to be a wonderful part of our family, is going to come back and help take care of the kids while I am in the hospital. This has relieved so much stress for me, I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for her doing this. I know that between her, my friends and family, they will be very well cared for and probably spoiled rotten. That’s okay with me. The second thing is that the doctor gave me the thumbs up to take the kids to Disney the week before we are hoping to schedule the transplant. Brian will be there for a conference so we will be tagging along. I can’t wait to do this! Between the trip, the holidays and all of the special visitors they will have, I think that the time I am away will go relatively quickly. And if all goes well I get to be home for Christmas. Lucky for them, I’ll have plenty of time to shop online for presents while I’m sitting in the hospital.

I will have more details about the transplant and the time frame in the coming weeks, but right now we are shooting for November 14th.

Oh, and one more thing … I will be walking with family and friends in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk on October 29th. It is a great family event held at Camden Yards. Each participant carries a lighted balloon and they fill the night sky. I have started a team called Team Supergirl. If you are around and could come down and walk, we would love for you to join us. If not and you would like to make a donation, you are welcome to that as well. All proceeds go towards the research and support that has carried me through this whole experience and is keeping me alive today! Here is a link to our Team Page to register to walk or donate: http://pages.lightthenight.org/md/Baltimor11/TeamSupergirl.