October 30, 2020 · from Lesley’s original CaringBridge journal
So, the health update first, then if you want to figure out where that title came from you can read on. At my last appointment, we did hear the rest of my pathology report from the bone marrow biopsy. I had a couple of things mixed up with some of the results but it is all good nonetheless. My T-cells are 100%!!!!!! That is my immune system. What that means is that I am starting to wean off the immunosuppressants! The other cells that are a measly 96% are the cells that produce my red and white blood cells. The other good news from the report is that the markers they check for that might indicate the Leukemia coming back all showed negative. And once again, no FLT3 showed up for the party either. We couldn’t ask for better (except maybe that those other cells were 100 and not 96% but I’ll try to get type-A Lesley to chill about that). My skin issues had not gotten better and in some ways were worse. Dr. Kota did decide he thinks this is chronic GVHD (graft vs. host disease – the transplant fighting my body). Again though, I was a bit excited about this! This indicates that the transplant is working and is like the “fleece” that shows us that. I truly sympathize with Gideon on this one. Seeing the wet fleece (or nasty, dry, red patches of skin in my case) is a great comfort to me. And what gets even better is that I saw the dermatologist and she prescribed a new cream that is actually helping! Blue skies are ahead!
Given my grand progression in the T-cell department, we have felt a little more comfortable having certain company over. Thankfully my kids’ friends have been just as cautious as we have been so they have been able to spend time together lately. Last Friday we had been given a gift of a bucket of “Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream” (you can order it here – if you don’t have my address, ask, I’ll be glad to give it to you if you want to send us some more 😂). You must click that link and go look at it – I’ll wait. Okay, now that you have a visual I can continue. We decided to play a joke on their friend who was over and try to convince him that it was really just frozen fried chicken. We pulled it off pretty successfully. We ate our amazing ice cream and then everyone continued to talk, laugh, joke, and have a good time. My medicine alarm went off and I grabbed my little crate of pills, got out my spreadsheet, and started to dose myself up. I joked with the kids and asked if anyone needed any chemo for the night and laughed some more. As I sat at the table soaking up the scene I thought about it all. This is not at all how I pictured my life would look at – in so many ways, not just the cancer part. But it is a beautiful life. My kids are all healthy. They have great friends that I couldn’t have picked better myself. I have a three-year-old with the most enchanting curls, eyelashes, and smile who tells me a million times a day that he loves me and thanks me for the most menial acts of love or service. My husband continues to love me through all the hard and is a great father and example to our boys. My life is beautiful, even if it wasn’t what I ordered. I am thankful to be here and continue to pray for many more years to come. But even if that isn’t the case, it will still be a wonderful life – mine and my family’s. God is Good all the time and we are thankful.
We were able to go to church this past Sunday for the first time since March. It was so good to be back in corporate worship. Three of the songs sung were “He was there all the time,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “How Great Thou Art.” I felt that each one of those spoke to me and couldn’t have been more appropriate. God has been with me the whole time. He has given me his assurance that He will never leave me (or my kiddos and Marsh). And I can’t help but declare how great He truly is. Blessings my friends, I will check in with you all again soon.
Lesley
Comments from CaringBridge
Nancy Mitchell — 11/2/20
I love reading this!!
Jan Davis — 10/31/20
Wonderful news, Lesley! I pray God will give you many more wonderful years!
cindy strickland — 10/31/20
Your words (you do have a way with them), and story are such a blessing. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Gale Roberts — 10/31/20
I love you! God is good!!! Mama Gale
Katy Hutson — 10/30/20
So much goodness here, Lesley. I’m rejoicing with you!
Patti Garretson — 10/30/20
That is all great news. I am glad the cream is helping with the GVHD.
Cancermamma 