I'm The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA

I used to make fun of this Donna Fargo song when I was in high school. I would hold my nose and sing along in a horrible nasal tone, "Shine on me sunshine, walk with me world, it's a skip-da-de-do-da day. I'm the happiest girrrl in the whole USA."

Today the words to this sappy song have true meaning for me. I got the results of my FISH panel from the bone marrow biopsy and my wanky chromosome damage has been reversed. No more trisomy 11. So, the stem cell transplant can proceed.

I should be Denver bound in a few weeks. I will probably be down there through the holidays, but I can't think of a better Christmas present than a chance to share Christmases in future years with my family which will soon include a new granddaughter. My son informed me today that their baby which is due on February 29 (not too thrilled with a leap year baby, but. . . ) is a girl. I asked him to name her Maristella after my oncologist. He didn't jump on the idea, but I have a few months to work on him.

As you can see, all your prayers, positive thoughts, and moral support have paid off and I can't thank all of you enough!

So, Here We Go Again

I am now back in the hospital for round two of consolidation chemotherapy. I was admitted on Monday of this week after having three wonderful weeks of freedom during which I was able to work my normal days of 8:15 ish or so to 5:30 ish or so. I even got to go to Casper last week for the annual Wyoming Association of County Officers convention and fulfill my duties as president.

I had a great time seeing all the clerks from around the state, but didn't have enough energy to really enjoy the social times. I expect to be full of energy the next time we meet, though.

I had a bone marrow biopsy last Friday and the preliminary results are great. The beautiful Dr. Batezini told me there were ZERO blasts in my bone marrow. Not 1% or 2%, but ZERO. A difficult concept for me to grasp. We are waiting on the results of the FISH panel to see if the chromosomal damage (trisomy 11) has been corrected. If so, the next phase of treatment will be in Denver and consist of an autologous stem cell transplant. We should know something in the next 9 days.