In her own words...
There is a statistic out there that every 4 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer... well, I contributed to that statistic on July 6th, 2005 when I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. As a "never-been-sick-a-day-in-my-life" strong, healthy young woman in my mid-20's, I had never even thought of the word CANCER for myself. After finally going in to see the doctor for all the bizarre symptoms I had been having (including nausea, vomiting, broken capillaries, severe headaches, strep throat, and fatigue) I started to worry when he told me my white blood cell count was so high, their lab machine could not even read the number. He then told me I needed to go to Fairview Southdale and have a bone marrow biopsy done - IMMEDIATELY! I had no idea what that procedure entailed (had I known, I probably would not have gone!). They didn't even wait for the results of the biopsy to send in the oncologist... they already knew.
After a month-long stay at Fairview Southdale where I received a groshong catheter, a couple PICC lines, leukopheresis, two types of chemotherapy, numerous blood and platelet transfusions, and 4 more bone marrow biopsies, I was declared in remission! I finally got to go home - just to come back for 4 additional rounds of chemo for the next 6 months.
I was one of the lucky ones that beat the odds and am thankful every day that I survived that horrible disease.
Now, I’m even more grateful to be expecting my first baby this fall! The doctors never knew for sure whether or not carrying my own child would be a possibility, but I feel so blessed and am anxiously awaiting it’s arrival.
What Heidi didn't share is that she's a runner. She's participated in the San Diego Marathon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. In the three years I've known her, she's run it twice. She gets a bye for this year as she and her husband Mick are happily anticipating the arrival of their first child which is due right about the time of our LTN walk!
Heidi, Carl and me as I received the LLS 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award
Heidi is one of the many reasons. I can't image a world without a smile like hers.
This weekend I ran the Woodbury Country Mile Half-Marathon with my young friend Cara. It was her first half-marathon and she rocked it! Her goal was 3.5 hours, her dream goal was 3 hours and she nailed a 2:47:16! That's an awesome time for a walk/run first time effort! It was really sweet to see her husband and daughters waiting for her at the finish with flowers!
My race was almost as good, 2:47:42! and with no stomach issues! I stuck with the Aspen Ridge Honey Farm stix, my own water and but for tired legs and some soreness in my back, I felt great! I felt great until Monday when all the things I did prior to the race, coupled with the race and sitting at my desk for hours caught up with me. A visit to the chiropractor, some time with the heat wrap and I'm good to go again.
It's 4 weeks until the Light the Night event. I'm still short of my goal, but I'm trusting that things will soon start picking up.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
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