Stem Cell Transplant No. 3 – Update 4
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well!!
With the new year in our rear vision mirror, and my 44th birthday now in the bag, there has been some time for reflection. When I think back to January 2017, I was excited, but I was hugely daunted. Daunted by the huge program of treatment that I was going to have o endure, daunted by the horrible stats associated with that treatment, and daunted by the fact that my family had to endure this with me.
In 2017, during my most vulnerable of times, I found that I was full of fear, scared that I might fail, with the worst case scenario being death. The fear seemed very real with the passing of a few good friends who also carried the burden of cancer at a young age. Now in 2018, I realise that 2017 was about proving to myself that I could face my challenges, stare them down, endure and make it to 2018 and beyond. Now that we are in 2018, this year is about ‘Being Better’.
On Monday of last week, I received my latest test results. My cancer is at very low levels. Woo hoo!! However, my Allo Stem Cell Transplant is still incomplete as my immune system remains as 45% mine, and 55% my brother Dan’s. I need it to be 100% Dan’s, otherwise it would be considered a failed procedure. So today, I will receive another ‘top up’ of cells, hoping to push my immune system over the hump in the road, and onto that 100% target whereby it can then start attacking that fucking cancer!! I need my immune system to realise that it is now 2018, and it’s time to Be Better.
By focusing on Being Better, it enables me to look at all aspects of my life. I reflect on the ‘Pillars of Happiness’ in my life. Those including my relationships (esp. with Sarah and my kids), my work, my finances, family and friends, charity and giving, fun and fulfilment, and of course my well-being. I draw a line under where I am now and I think about how I want to improve these aspects of my life through 2018. How can I Be Better. In some of my Pillars, I have big improvements to strive for, others only require slight tweaking, and yet others I realise that I have very little influence over.
2017 taught me that with love and support, I can overcome some pretty big challenges. However, I learnt that once you have done the hard work, you stop, reflect, take a deep breath, then prepare for the next challenge. Prepare by striving to Be Better!!
Take care
Geoff
