11/27/23 – Has it really been a decade since I had my stem cell transplant. WOW!
I have so much to be grateful for. I have such great family
and friends… and the icing on top is I now have 3 grandchildren… a 4-year-old,
a 2-year-old and our recent addition is only one month old. All these wonderful
life happenings have been made possible by blessings from above and the fantastic
support of all the medical people (doctors, nurses, etc…) that have guided me
to a very happy health outcome.
Is my health perfect? Of course not. I’m 62 years old, been
through chemo 3 different times, had a SCT, have had numerous challenges that
have arisen throughout my treatments… but as I often say, the best side effect
I have is that I’M ALIVE!
There are two health issues that I have been facing.
1.
My
immune system needs to be boosted with IVIG’s. I have tried to reduce the
number of these infusions I get, but it’s become fairly clear that I need to have
these monthly. Anytime I did it less frequent, my immune system (igg levels) would
drop and I would often get infections. When you think about it, this is such a
small thing when you consider all that I have gained.
2.
I do
experience some lightheadedness from time to time. It usually happens when I am
working in the yard doing the things that home owners do. We are still trying
to understand why this is happening, but we have identified via a recent
echocardiogram that my heart is a little weak. It’s nothing urgent, but it is
something that I will be have further tests on in the coming month. I, of course,
I will keep on top of this and do all I need to do to get to the bottom of this.
This is just another possible side effect that I need to address. I am confident
all will be fine.
With this said, I am on a never-ending mission to bring joy
to others as well as finding time to enjoy life for myself. Recently, I started
playing music at local restaurants, breweries, bars, etc… and I am having a
blast doing it. It all comes down to life being just too precious a gift to waste.
So, when I am feeling good, I make sure I take full advantage of it. Whether it’s
rolling on the floor and wrestling with one of my grandchildren or playing my
guitar… I try to make the very best of each day.
Here is a link to a great song by Tim McGraw on this
subject. It’s call “Live Like You Were Dying”. Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6NS7wrGItg
The LORD is my strength
and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled
with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com
