Prayer

On the day of my transplant the Chaplin read this prayer before I received my stem cells. I wanted to share it with you. I cry every time I read it.


We come today to celebrate a new beginning.
We feel afraid and anxious about the unknown, while we also feel excited and hopeful as we look forward to new possibilities.

The cells we bless today offer new possibilities for Samantha's healing.
These cells, as tiny as they are amazing, are a gift from the Creator of all Life.
Thank you, God, for the gift of life and for this transplant as a means of using the gift for healing.

Gracious Giver of Life, we thank you for these cells.
We are especially thankful for the courage and compassion of Samantha's donor.

Spirit of all grace and mercy, bless these cells for Samantha's healing according to her deepest needs of body, mind and spirit.
May Samantha feel your healing power flowing through every cell, bringing a new day of health and joy and creative energy.

Loving Creator and Friend, come with us now on our journey into the new.
Lead us forward with your vision of abundant life, and help us to continue to become all you created us to be in your divine image, now and forever.

Samantha, may Divine Love and Wisdom "be healing to your flesh and marrow to your bones" (Proverbs 3:8)

1 year ago today

I am amazed that one year ago today I was in the hospital recieving my stem cell transplant. This picture is from my "birthday party" I guess today is my 1st birthday.

I am suprised how fast this year went by. A year ago I was at my lowest and now I am feeling great and back to my "normal" life. I never expected that I would have gone back to work only 8 months after my transplant and not be completly exhausted. Don't get me wrong, I am tired and somedays I need a nap, but I feel 100% better than I did a year ago. I still make monthly trips to Dallas for check-ups and I still have a few issues that we are trying to resolve with the right medication. I am so lucky that I found the perfect donor and I have not had the complications that I could have that would make my life difficult. Now that it's been a year I am able to release my name to the donor center letting them know I am interested in being found by my donor. It is up to her if she wants to be found. I would love to meet her and to let her know how grateful I am for her selfless act. Without this transplant I would not be here. She is my angel and I hope to meet her one day.

This picture was taken at the State Fair a couple of months ago. Look how much hair I have!