2018... I have gone back and forth on what to say about the past year. It actually gives me anxiety to even think about it because I haven’t even wrapped my head around it yet. And I don’t think I will for a while. Guys, it was CRAZY.
The year started off amazing with going to my favorite place, Disneyland, from January 20th - 24th. I then got to go on a dream trip from January 28th-February 10th to Disney World and a Disney Cruise. I had never felt healthier. I walked around Disney World for five days with no difficulty. I was on a cruise boat for a week afterwards where I scuba dived in Cozumel Mexico and river boarded in Jamaica. When I got home, I was psyched to tell my doctors and nurse practitioner about how great I felt on my trip from being 11 months after my second bone marrow transplant. I had my routine clinic appointment at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City on February 13th. When my nurse practitioner walked into the room, I had a smile on my face but she didn’t. “Are you sick?” “Um... No.” My white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells were much lower than they were a month prior. The next day I got a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy that showed my cancer was back for the third time.
My brother left to serve a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 21st, one week after we got the news. One week after hugging Chandler goodbye I left for Seattle to start treatment. It felt like we were both leaving for our individual missions that the Lord had prepared for us long ago. Very different missions, but both with more in store than either of us could have imagined.
The next 10 months were so. freaking. hard. I would post pictures but I can’t even stand to go through them. It was hard the whole time and I give all credit to God for getting me through it. Now, it’s time to start the recovery process. I’m in total amazement that I get to experience 2019. Let’s hope it’s polar opposite from this past year: Full of healing, patience, love, peace, and new beginnings. Only the best of wishes for you, my friends!
