Meeting Goals - Beating Odds

Mark is eating more, gaining weight, getting more energy back and feeling up to doing a lot more things. The neuropathy in his feet cause him balance issues and pain but he is being strong and making the best of it. Mark's skin GVHD rash is holding steady, yet so is the steroid level. We started tapering the steroids this week and will continue for the next 10 weeks or so. Please, Please, Please stay away rash. I am holding on to the quote from our wonderful Blue team head nurse back in Seattle "..... eventually the new stem cells/immune system and Mark's skin will make nice." Oh I'm waiting for that day, because that will mean that the 34+ pills he has to take each day will be greatly reduced. He will be feeling better, weighing more, filled with more energy and mental/emotional stability - and that much closer to feeling "normal" again!

With twice weekly physical therapy and oncology/blood draw once a week PLUS daily IV's, doing lots to help out at home, eating well, drinking his water and working out - he is staying busy! One goal we have not just met but surpassed this month.... NO hospitalization in February! (I made the goal of no more than 7 days a month in the hospital after our infection/hospital stay in January.) We are on the right track for sure!

Meeting goals.... Beating the odds - that's my new motto. 

I am renewed in my efforts to keep my JOY alive and TACKLE the life that is before us. I have always been the type of person that goes after what she wants. I'm a planner. I pick the goal and go after it with all I have. I'm not sure why I let myself think that I don't have to do that any more. Or that I don't WANT to?

I'm committed to do all I can to make my little family's life the best. I've said before - I don't like the odds that come with Leukemia (even if in remission) - or with bone marrow transplants! But they are just odds. Let's all commit to being people that beat the odds: who try hard everyday for their family, who don't fear the worst, who put their trust in an almighty power, not putting ourselves first, not giving up or giving in - BUT having hope for a future rich in love and joy from the LORD. 

I plan on putting one more thing on my list of accomplished goals... Supporting Mark faithfully and doing all I can to help his body beat the odds! 

Please keep praying for Gods touch. Some days are hard, but we are seeing more improvement all the time. Long road but I'm up for it and most days Mark is too.... but if you know me at all - you know that on the days he doesn't feel up for it - I'm dragging him along or carrying him if I have to!

Doing "fine"

We have good days.... we have tough days... But there are more good days than not.

I'll update more on health later... for now Click link below and enjoy:

http://youtu.be/9ylnx0NA9X4

Pep Talk

Mark is doing pretty good. Day by day, week by week - we just keep trying. Working hard and trying to find Joy each day. Not much has changed. His pain from the Viral meningitis is all but gone, skin GVHD is stable, energy level is declining as he tapers off the steroids but overall he is doing good. Slow progress, but doing good.

I wanted to share some solutions I've found lately:

When I'm....

Tired.... breath deep.

Unmotivated... pray.

Hungry but not meal time... drink water.

Saddened by life's unavoidable twists... pray.

Board..... wait, I'm never board!! Too much to do.

Tired of talking about it all... read God's promises.

Out of answers... listen and then go to sleep.

Frustrated by the things I can not change... find the JOY.

Scared about the future... pray, write and breath.

Follow the link below to watch a great little video that I really enjoyed.

Some of my favorite quotes:

 

The world needs you. Stop being boring! 

I'm on your team. Be on my team.  

Not cool, Robert Frost! 
But what if there really were two paths? I want to be in the one that leads to awesome. 
What will be your Space Jam? What will you create to make the world awesome? 

We can cry about it, or we can dance about it. 
We were made to be awesome!

You've just been pep talked!