Letter from my Donor!

What a blessing to be home with family and with my children for Christmas. Last year I started a round of chemo on Dec. 26th so that was no fun. It was so wonderful to be in a whole new state of mind this year. Last year we didn't even know if I would see this Christmas. My friend, Samantha, I often mention had her transplant on Christmas Eve! So far she is doing well. She has not experienced gvhd or engraftment yet but I know she is in for a rough few days soon. So prayers are going out to her and her family.

I FINALLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY 23 YEAR OLD GERMAN DONOR! I do not have very many words to even explain how I felt when I opened a piece of mail from Baylor and it wasn't a bill haha but a letter from my donor! My heart was racing as I saw the words Dear Receipient! I was starting to wonder if my letter ever made it to him. Or maybe he was wanting to remain annonymous. He may even read this one day and laugh...or think I'm just crazy...(if you ever do read this, just remember we do share the same DNA now) haha. It's already kind of interesting that we both share an interest and love for the medical field. I wish I could ask him a multitude of questions right now! I'm very excited to start a relationship with him and cannot wait for the day we meet in person!

My 9 month bone marrow biopsy was inconclusive and I chose not to redo this one. I will give my back a rest and wait until my one year which is only 2 and a half months away!

Still Fighting.

Katie.

9 Months post-transplant.

I will be having my 9 month bone marrow biopsy tomorrow. I hope the results are just as good as the last 3. Only one more for my one year and boom, I think the every three month biopsies will go to every 6 months or maybe even a year, I'm not quite sure yet. Either way I'm happy with whatever because I'M ALIVE! I still do carry some anxiety about relapsing but from what I hear this is normal. So as soon as I know my awesome results, so will you! yipee. Now onto my friend forever Samantha! She goes in Friday to start her conditioning for transplant and needs ALL of our prayers also! Please pray for Sam to have strength and courage! I know she will do great! I also had the pleasure of going the see the MAZE this week. If you have not heard of this fantastic show please google it. Jim Munroe has been blessed with amazing talent. Not only do we share the same diagnosis of cancer and have both had transplants and came out with flying colors but he has taken his illness and turned it into a way to not only educate people on it but to also witness to young children and teens on how God works in amazing ways! The magic is great and all but the message is the real miracle! I do know he will be in Keller in January! GO SEE THIS SHOW!!! It's Free! So I will be back in a few days to update you guys on my results, then we can talk about my "big move" as well!

Still Fighting,
Katie