Visiting our Friends

A few weeks ago Brandon and I went back to the good ole' BMT unit at the U of U hospital to visit some of the nurses we love so dearly. We were lucky that most all of our very favorites were there on the same shift! We can't say more about these people. In such a tumultuous time in our lives they brought peace, routine, laughter and friendship that we so desperately needed. We love the people of the BMT unit and will always be so grateful for everyone there.

I will say, it was weird walking down the same halls, smelling the same smells and knowing we weren't going to have to sleep there. It brought back a rush of memories good and bad, but mostly it made me grateful to have Brandon right there next to me.

From left to right we have Suzie who we would hold our breath every shift change to see if she was assigned to us. We loved her so much and we truly became good friends. Then Amy, the CNA who made the BEST chocolate-peanut butter shakes ever! Then Jon who is a character. Then Bob our favorite night time nurse who kept us laughing at all his funny stories. Then Cassidy, another great CNA who always had a smile and kept us up to date on Greek Row happenings. Then Janet. Janet kept us in line and we loved her for it. Every now and then she'd pretend not to notice the food that we'd smuggle in for Brandon.

Good News!

I know it has been some time since my last post but we have just been plugging along in the maintenance therapy and nothing too exciting has happened. We just saw the Dr. on Friday and he informed us that all of my tests look perfect and I am still in full remission!! We couldn't be more happy, truly, even though I am still looking for a job, this trumps any feelings of frustration we could possibly be going through right now. Both Katie and I are so grateful for the love, prayers, and support of everyone. We know that we could have never done this alone, and also that we have had so many people right there beside us every step of the way. It has been so amazing to feel the strong arms around us and the many unseen helping hands that have helped us get to the point we are at today.

I know that it may seem kind of silly to get excited every time we hear that I am still in remission but I think that at least for this first year since my last round of chemo I am entitled to get excited to hear I don't have cancer again and all of the baggage that comes with it. It can be a little nerve racking every time we go in to hear the diagnosis from Dr. Tricot, my Oncologist, but he has continually given us good news. We see him every 3 months for the first year, and then we will have tests every 6 months for the rest of my life which means a fun bone marrow biopsy with each visit to look forward to. They just want to make sure that it doesn't come back, and be able to catch it early if it does. I am in an interesting situation too because I am such an atypical patient, it is hard to say what any percentages are because all of the data is for people in their 60's, not for a young buck like myself. People ask me what the chances are of it coming back, and how long most people stay in remission and I really don't know for sure. We are confident however that whatever happens, I will be around for a long time to come, thanks to everyone out there of course who has been so wonderful every step of the way.

Katie and I are so lucky to have such great friends and family, and so many people behind us. We just wanted to say thank you again and that we love and appreciate you all.