It started as a routine lazy, summer morning. I’ve really enjoyed the break from school routines and with that flexibility I’ve been trying hard to get more physically fit. I had just recently completed pulmonary rehab at our local hospital. I was going in every Tuesday and Thursday for cardio and strength training workouts. On the side, I’ve also been working hard to increase my protein intake so that maybe I can build back some muscle. I’m still not used to all of the muscle wasting I experienced with cancer and its after effects. When you lose muscle you notice that some things have become impossible (like opening our windows), other things are harder (like opening packages and jars), and other things are just uncomfortable (like the bony prominence that has suddenly become unbearable to sit on with hard surfaces – like bleachers and folding chairs).

Okay, so back to my morning. I’ve been making smoothies in my 30-year-old blender every morning with Greek yougurt and powdered protein. I add a few more ingredients including frozen berries. I turned on the blender and it just whirred and whirred but nothing was moving. I’m always thinking this may be the end on the blender’s life. Surely the motor is going to give out because it does this every day. So, we all know better, but I gave it a little nudge with a kitchen teaspoon. I knew in a millisecond that that was a bad idea! See below.

Good thing Jonathan and I have a good sense of humor! It (ahem, I) was a mess!!! Stuff was everywhere! Tiny little berry pieces and protein powder galore! And it didn’t help that, as usual, I was running late for a medical appointment. I scurried about to get the worst wiped up and I had to rush to wash my hair and wash off all of the airborne smoothie ingredients. I think the pain of cleaning up was worth all of the laughter we got out of it! I’m so glad Jonathan thought to take a picture. That way we will never forget.

Healthwise, I’m doing pretty well. They keep me busy with lots of appointments. It’s not unusual for me to have 2-3 appointements per week. I see a stem cell doctor, lung doctor, eye doctor, palliative care, cardiology, and psych to name a few. 😉 Back in March I was in the hospital with pneumonia and high levels of CO2. It was basically a cold that I couldn’t shake that turned into pneumonia. The CO2 is something I deal with all of the time because of my lung disease. I just can’t seem to exhale enough CO2, so it tends to run high. I wear BiPap at night to help expel some of the excess. When it is high it can make you feel drowsy and a little confused which I’ve thankfully only had a few times. I get Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) every 4-6 weeks to help with my immune system. Its one of my best defenses for preventing lung infections which could scar my lungs even more. The newest thing which is most exciting is a new medication called Rezurock. I started it in the beginning of July. It’s a lung medication that I take twice per day. It helps 20% of the people who take it. If it works, it may decrease my lung scarring, and possibly decrease my need for oxygen OR even possibly eliminate my need for oxygen at all. We will know after 6 months. Please pray that it works! It’s the only medical hope that I’ve been given for anything like this. On a different front, my latest malady is lymphedema. It was first affecting my feet and ankles with swelling, but, I think thanks to my new exercise routine, it has really improved. However, I now have lymphedema in my right breast. It’s a fairly new diagnosis and is caused by the radiation I had to my breast when I had lymphoma there in 2015. I’m seeing some specialists including physical therapy to help, so hopefully it’ll be managed and not get worse.

March 2025 marked 10 years of being cancer-free!!! March 2015 I was finishing up radiation on my right breast and undergoing a donor stem cell transplant / bone marrow transplant. Amazing how 10 years goes by and I’m so very thankful to the Lord for blessing me with these years with my family and friends. Life goes fast and each day is a gift for sure! Below are some highlights since I last blogged.

That is the latest update. Tomorrow we celebrate Elizabeth’s 21st birthday! She and I are going out for a ladies’ brunch – just the 2 of us. I feel so blessed that she has chosen to spend her celebratory time with me! As I think of my babies and my nieces and nephews too as seasons change and school begins, I think of some verses:

Numbers 6: 24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Hebrews 13:21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”