T minus ‘Go Time’

The last week has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster.

After the travel to and from Pittsburgh for Leukapheresis I caught a cold / sinus crud and let’s just say I spun and spun downhill fast emotionally. My best Tcells were now thawing and it was about go time and I have to be ready to go. After a scary panic attack at my PCP being tested for COVID, Flu and getting meds for sinusitis – many amazing friends told me to stop everything and rest and breathe – I finally did just that. I had all these plans for my last week before ‘the battle’….properly wrap up work, activities with my kids, my last workout at OT and just fun things I planned to do before I was locked up, hair loss and fully in battle mode but my anxiety got the best of me and put me into bed and full hibernating mode instead. I am stubborn but maybe this was the best thing that could have happened and what I needed to do for me. Breathe, breathe and breathe – remove everything extra from my life and as a dear friend said – time to pull the cancer card and focus on resting my body.

Agh – I hate it, hate it all but it all worked out and did as I was told and rested and swapped for priceless time at home with my kids and Paul over the weekend.

Sunday arrived and two of my amazing girlfriends escorted me from Denver to Chicago to meet my sister. Leaving my kids for an unknown amount of days (but probably around 3 weeks) was one of the hardest things to process and do but my girlfriends by my side made it manageable. Words can never express the kindness and selflessness our family has received. Truly, each day I learn from someone how to be a better person from their actions.

After my girlfriends to Jamie handoff – Jamie and I flew to Pittsburgh.

Monday was a day full of labs, more scans and prep. It was long but again manageable. And although I am so sad and scared I am here – I am more than ever grateful to have this opportunity of treatment. Truly, Dr K and his team have something special here and truly blessed I get a chance to be part of this cancer killing treatment.

Officially go time to start the trial – 7am arrival on Tuesday, 2/7 to insert my line and start chemo.

Thank you to those that are in the weeds of my journey, those on the sidelines cheering me on and others for your continuous thoughts and prayers.