My mission moment

This morning I delivered the mission moment for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training's (TNT) Saturday morning team run. My friend Carlo is a trainer and introduced me to the team last Saturday. I have wanted to get involved with TNT for a while, but I just never did. There are 25-30 people that get together to train for various races and raise money for the society. Each week they have an honored hero come and share their story with the team as inspiration. I was honored to be asked to do this. I am not much of a public speaker, but I felt it was important for me to share my story with people that are dedicated to raising money for the Leukemia Society since I have benefited so much from their financial assistance. I practiced what I wanted to say because I know when I get nervous I draw a blank and forget everything. As soon as I started talking I started to tear up. I get emotional when I talk about what I have been thru, but it is important for me to share my experience with others. I am very fortunate that I am doing as well as I am only 5 months after my transplant. Since I started working at the YMCA I have been working out and I feel that my strength and energy level is back to where it was before the transplant. Things are finally starting to look up for me.

I can't believe how bad I am at keeping this blog updated. I would be surprised if anyone still reads this. Well I am doing really good 4 months after the transplant. I still go to Dallas every other Monday for check-ups. About a week ago I started to get a GVHD rash and my doctor put me back on my steroids. I am not having the problems that I was having since I was taken off them. About a week after I stopped taking the steroids my joints started to feel stiff. I really thought I was starting to develop arthritis. As soon as I went back on the steroids I felt so much better. I guess I will have to be on a low dose for a while until my body can adjust itself.

About a month ago I started working part-time at the YMCA near my house. Since I am feeling so much better and have more energy, I decided it was time for me to get out of the house and get back to work. I plan on going back to teaching in August, so I thought this was a good way for me to ease back into working. So far I really like working at the Y (day camp hasn't started yet!). I have met lots of great people and I have been able to catch up with friends that I haven't seen in years. I have decided that this is the time that I need to make a change and start working out regularly. I have read a lot about how diet and exercise can help reduce your cancer risk. Since I am already at risk for developing other cancers I figured this is a good time for me to start an exercise routine. I feel so much better about myself after I work out. Since the transplant I have lost about 20 pounds. My appetite is back now that I am back on the steroids so I have to start working at keeping the weight off that I have already lost.

I am still amazed that I had a stem cell transplant 4 months ago. I never thought I would be feeling this well so soon after. Every time I go to Dallas and see people that have just had their transplant I realize how far I have come in such a short amount of time.