Dandelions and Disease

As some of you know, I hit a bump in the road. Acute myeloid leukemia. That will slow a person down, for sure, those lucky enough to survive anyway! Several friends have asked other friends questions about my treatment, so I hope this helps.

With most cancers, you have a tumor that can be hit with a drug to kill it, and then doctors remove the dead tumor. Think of hitting a dandelion or two in your yard with Weed-B-Gone. Let it die. Dig it up. No more dandelions.

With leukemia, picture a yard (your body) with dandelions everywhere, because your blood is throughout your body. My dandelions are raging, taking over the yard. Too many to hit with little sprays of Weed-B-Gone. So, instead, the doctors are wiping out all the vegetation (blood cells in my marrow): the dandelions and other plants as well. 

For treatment, I have continuous chemo. Then, after a period of a few days, we'll give my little yard a chance to reseed over several days. Then tests to see if it worked. Then we repeat the cycle to make sure all bad weeds are gone. Get the picture? With luck, I'll reseed with my own blood. If that won't work, then they'll look at other options like stem cells or bone marrow from donors.

That said, you will understand why I can't have visitors, why I can't go out for a walk, and why I can't come home. I'm in a 10 X 10 cubicle and being very carefully monitored for the next several weeks here at the James, OSU. Lucky for all of us, love and prayers extend beyond the walls of my little unit. Thanks, everyone, for your kind words, cards, happy thoughts, and prayers! I feel the love from family and friends, and it lifts me up.

As many of you know, I started working (writing, getting involved to raise awareness) and researching the horrible crime of human trafficking . My work had only just begun. I'm taking a rest, but I'll get back to it! Thank you all! <3 be="" div="" happy.="" i="" m="" need="" now.="" right="" think="" to="" where="">