So those of you who know me well, you know I've always been a big fan of my birthday. In fact, every year when October First rolls around, I'll tell anyone who will listen to me "Guess what? Its my Birth Month!!" I think its been my birthday, combined with my absolute FAVORITE season, that always has me on such a high the weeks before my birthday.
This year though, the joy of the changing of the seasons and my approaching birthday has been mingled with some trepadition and sadness. This time last year all hell had broken loose. I was in between hospital admissions, unsure of my diagnosis, not sure if I would be around this time next year, and in so much pain I spent my whole day medicated and sleeping. I spent the last days of summer and the start of fall in a hospital bed having every test and procedure under the sun. I was confused, and scared, and my birthday was the last thing I cared about.
As we all know, I have come out of all this with a diagnosis (POEMS), A brand spanking new immune system post transplant, a new hair-do (Ha!), and a prognosis with the potential for MANY more birthdays to look forward to! I'm not grumbling about turning 37 (LATE Thirties!!!) but thankful I'm here to celebrate it!
I just wanted to let you all know that while I didn't celebrate my birthday last year, I was blessed with so many gifts. The outpouring of love from our friends and family during those crazy few months and still to this day have touched me more than you will ever know. Its amazing how the people in our lives from our family and friends to family and friends OF family and friends that have stepped up to offer support in so many different ways. And all of it was and is so very appreciated. If you're reading this, then you are a part of that THANK YOU.....and I hope you all know how much I love you back!
If you're looking for a status update on me, there isn't much to say that is different from the last post. I still have the annoying bone pains and fatigue. They are still trying to tweek my medication to try and work with that. Since the POEMS also attacks the endicrine system, most of my hormones are off so thats part of the issue. I'm still taking the chemo pills and will for the next year I've been told. None of the really nasty side effects have made a return (Blurred vision, headaches, Nueropothy) so thats good! I've started getting my immunizations and like all your newborns, I'll get a couple here and there for the next 2 years. I feel okay for the most part, I have a bad day here and there, I still feel like I'm 80 years old much of the time, (but a really cute, sassy 80 year old!) but life is pretty close to back to normal and I'm grateful for that!
I know its probably a little narcissistic, but I feel like this absolutely gorgeous fall we've been having is nature's way of making up for last year. At least for me anyway. So I'm making sure to enjoy every minute of it...its not even my birthday yet (another half an hour!) and there are 21 "Happy Birthday" wishes on my Facebook wall. How lucky am I?
I hope you're all getting a chance to enjoy it as well! Attaching a couple new pics of the kiddos. Can you believe we were SWIMMING on Columbus Day??? Love and Hugs to you all!!
xoxoxo,
Tara =0)
P.S. I updated the Blog for fall! I hope you like the new look!!
