Category: cancer
-
Days +0 to +4
Day +0: A cup of hope – April 10, 2020 Thank you for all the ways you’ve been #RootingforRamon! The transplant went off without a hitch, and we’ve already walked a few laps, watched an awful movie, and napped. We’ll be sipping from our cup of hope as YuSun’s cells boss Ramón around (as all…
-
One sunset at a time
It’s our third night in the hospital, and we just witnessed the best sunset so far—a Fight Like Mike sunset. Throughout Ramón’s cancer treatment, I’ve shared the story of our friends Lindsey and Mike and their efforts to Share Love, That’s All. Last Sunday, after valiantly combating leukemia for four years, Mike peacefully passed away…
-
Palm of her hand
We’ve had a productive week in isolation. Ramón’s sister, YuSun, arrived in Atlanta on Monday night before heading to Emory on Tuesday for a full day of pre-transplant visits. With each needle stick (Sibling voodoo?), YuSun remained faithful and is now eating a very strict diet—in quarantine—until cell collection a week from today. So, as…
-
Four words to cherish
Four words to cherish in the world of cancer: We got good news! Ramón’s bone marrow biopsy shows that we’re ready to head to stem cell transplant. Though some details are still up in the air, we know that Ramón’s sister, YuSun, will be his donor. YuSun is a half match, but she’s 100% committed…
-
Our lucky day?
This photo was taken two years ago today, and it has me feeling somewhat nostalgic. I’m longing for a time when I was the only sick half of this duo—a time when I’d never heard “absolute neutrophil count”—a time when we weren’t living in a hospital, watching medical experts fear for their own lives while…
-
Keeping it ill
It’s everywhere you turn: coronavirus this and coronavirus that. One minute, you read an article about a grieving daughter who suddenly lost her mom to the virus; a few minutes later, you see someone suggesting it’s a hoax and that the fear is manufactured. Another person is upset about an event or trip cancellation because…
-
twenty is plenty
Well, well, well … It’s hospital day 20. It’s not Ramón’s best day, but we’re making the best of every day. When I’m faced with anxiety-provoking situations, I try to apply logic to make the uncertainty disappear. For example, I have been replaying last May’s induction chemotherapy, trying to remember what happened on what day,…
-
Day 300
We made it to day 300! Sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe Ramón was diagnosed with leukemia last May. It’s even more difficult to believe that, after about nine months in remission, it occasionally feels like we’re back where we started. But, on the bright side, we’ve had 300 love-laden, laughter-loaded, gratitude-packed days.…
-
Enjoy the ride
It’s hard to believe we are where we are. Last Sunday we were near Blue Ridge where Ramón kick-started the week by running up a mountain – no exaggeration. Then, on Monday morning, we sipped coffee while watching the sunrise from the comfort of a hot tub, soaking in the glorious moment unfolding before us.…
-
Putting the dent in Presidents Day
Yesterday started off like your typical day: Ramón and I were evaluating which of our dogs would have the most success on American Ninja Warrior. By the end of the day, however, we were discussing where the dogs should go for the next month or so while we’re in the hospital. You read that correctly.…
-
Taking it in stride
Yesterday Ramón completed a half-marathon that he’s been training for since his counts recovered following his last round of chemo. Younger, pre-cancer Ramón ran half-marathons whenever he pleased with little to no preparation whatsoever. He’s always been quite athletic, and we have ongoing debates about which professional athletes he thinks he could beat in a…
-
Run Ramón run
A few weeks before Ramón was diagnosed with cancer, he participated in a relay race with a group of friends. The term “relay race” sounds super-fun like elementary school field day, so let me clarify. This was a 120ish mile trail race that includes running through the night, sleeping in tents (if at all), and…
-
Peace out, 2019
The time has finally come to say goodbye to one of the best, most awful years of my life. I got a cold on Thanksgiving (so thankful), which spiraled into quite a mess. After five days in the hospital—as the patient this time—I am at home on day 20 of IV antibiotics. So, as the…
-
Wear your seatbelt
One of these guys enjoys licking plates in the dishwasher, and the other one has a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow. When we last saw one of Ramón’s hematologists, I asked him if there was anything Ramón could or should do to potentially improve the outcome of the next biopsy. His answer was basically no, then…
-
Some mumbo for your jumbo
First, I want to proactively acknowledge that this post might be a little bit out there, but guess who doesn’t care? Me! I read something transformative this weekend, and I’m still excited, so I want to write about it. I recently mentioned my introduction to Eckhart Tolle, and I’m about halfway through his book, The…