09/04/2025
health/life update ❤️
*long post alert* i don’t post often… but when i do… it’s a novel!
5 years ago today, after 45 days at the james and my 5th bone marrow biopsy, i was told there were NO promyelocites (leukemia cells) left in my body and i could GO HOME! they also told me that after 5 years if the leukemia cells didn’t come back then i wouldn’t ever have to get blood work again. even though i celebrate my cancer/chemo free date on march 19th… today is my technical REMISSION ANNIVERSARY! God is so so GOOD! 🎉
is there an old adage that says “where one journey ends, another one begins”?… because that’s where i’m at 🙃
my cancer journey has ended but this summer my wonderful body decided to embark on another journey. and this journey is called MOGAD. i was diagnosed with a super rare auto immune disease where the MOG antibodies attack the good protein in my spine causing inflammation which in turn affects the transmitters for my nervous system (this is my personal understanding of it, you can google it, but it’s a lot). just like my cancer (APL) this disease is completely random, they have no idea how people get it and it is a newer diagnosis (5 years ago it was diagnosed as MS).
baby wade was 7 weeks old when i went into the hospital for a severe mastitis infection that had lasted 4 weeks (ended up having surgery to remove the infection). that coupled with the onset of a few random symptoms where i lost all feeling on the left side of my body and severe muscle weakness on my right side making it nearly impossible to walk. i spent a week at riverside getting every test under the sun. i did 10 rounds of IV steroids and 5 rounds of plasmapheresis that required a port. i was in and out of the bing cancer center (where i had to get my infusions and transfusions) for the last 6 weeks of my maternity leave.
i am on the mend now but not 100%. i have gained most of the feeling back on my left side but i still cannot tell the difference between hot and cold. my strength has come back on the right side but i still have a tingling sensation that shoots down my right arm every time i bend my neck. they have recommended i start a monthly IVIG infusion for the next 6 months to prevent a relapse. but there is also a 50/50 chance i will never have another relapse. so many unknowns with this disease.
unknowns. they tend to scare you. especially when it comes to your health. but as i reminded myself over and over and over this summer, we do NOT serve a God of FEAR and i will TRUST in Him. this was not a surprise to Him. He never promised life would be easy, but He did promise that we would never have to face it alone. and i have felt his presence and peace in the midst of the chaos. God is so so GOOD.
i had someone tell me this summer “your life was finally coming together (referencing starting my own business at 37, getting married for the first time at 38 and having my first baby at 39) and then this happens. you don’t deserve it.” and that got me thinking. i mean i guess i didn’t “deserve” waiting my whole life to have a baby and then be physically incapacitated to the point where i couldn’t hold my baby and had to ask family and friends to come over and take care of my baby while my husband was at work and i just sat and watched. that was HARD. it was really hard. but then i decided to have a different perspective on it. i had people in my life that loved me enough to show up, sacrifice their time, just to love on me and my baby. it was LOVE in ACTION. and i had the opportunity to not only witness it but be the recipient of it all summer. and so did baby wade, rhett and christopher. it is evident we are so very loved 🤍
i need to give a special shoutout to my husband even though he doesn’t have facebook. he has been a single dad/caregiver most of the summer and he took that on with grace and humility and unwavering support. at 7 weeks he took every feeding, every diaper change, every bath and every outfit change (baby wade spits up a lottt lol). never once complained. he has been my rock. my best friend. and never once made me feel like a burden. he has put up with more than any husband should and i couldn’t be more thankful that he chose me. watching him take care of rhett and wade while i couldn’t made me fall in love with him all over again. his love for his boys is unlike anything my heart has ever experienced. he drives me crazy more often than not, but i am so glad he is stuck with me forever.
i want to give a huge shout out to all our amazing family and friends that have spoiled us with love this summer. from keeping wade overnight while we were in the hospital or getting treatments, to sitting with me and taking care of wade while christopher worked, to bringing us meals, to helping with yard work, to taking me to treatments, to sending texts and cards, we can’t thank you enough for loving us and helping us through the chaos. it truly takes a village and we LOVE OUR VILLAGE!❤️❤️❤️
i also want to thank my Edward Jones clients for your patience and grace. i took a 16 week maternity leave with plans to work from home this summer and that did not work out like i had planned. at all. i am honored with the trust you have placed in me and i promise to work even harder for you now that i am officially back! i truly enjoy serving each and everyone of you. thank you for your understanding and just being amazing!
baby wade is 4 months, he’s doing GREAT and is super healthy! he smiles and talks nonstop. he’s a chunk… hasn’t missed a meal yet! rhett just started kindergarten at unioto and LOVES being a big brother. their love for each other is truly the sweetest gift ever. they were both dedicated this past Sunday at our church and to have both our families, rhett’s mom lauren and family, our church family and close friends there was truly special (rhett told me multiple times it was “the BEST DAY EVER!”). rhett and wade are definitely loved A LOT! 🤍
last but not least, i turn 40 in 2 weeks… and i’m SO ready! saying goodbye to my thirties will not be difficult for this girl! here’s to the BEST decade yet!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
