So it appears I am not the world's best blogger as it has been 8 months since I have done a blog update. The reason for that is that there hasn't been much to blog about. I am healthy and since my contact at the the Registry left, I haven't had much contact or updates if any since then. I also handle a carepage for my Mom and update that regularly, so I guess I was feeling a little redundant. So...here's an update.
It's been 13 months since I donated my bone marrow. I have no side effects and feel great. I recently contacted the Registry to request the paperwork to release my information to LG's family. It took several weeks, but I finally got everything submitted. Last week I received an email from the registry with a copy of LG's paperwork. I can officially say that LG and LGII are one and the same! I was getting updates from LG's Aunt the whole time. It was such a wonderful feeling to know that the journey I was following was that of my own donation. Her name is Charlotte, which, if you know me well, you know that this is quite a coincidence as one of my top 2 girls names (if I ever have a baby) is Charlotte. She is nearly 4 years old now (May 31st...only 8 days after my own birthday) and cancer free! She is off every medication and has (in the grand scheme of things) minimal side effects. She does have some GVH (graft v. host disease) effects in the form of patchy red skin, and she still takes naps everyday for 2-3 hours, but otherwise, she is a happy energetic little girl. One of the biggest changes the family has been getting used to is her hair color. Before chemo, she was blond, and now, with my bone marrow, she has brown hair. She is also a big sister, and apparently really good at it! (I wonder if that also runs in DNA, haha!) Her sister was born only 2 months after she was diagnosed, so it is a true blessing that she is able to grow up with her sister.
I think I am still in a bit of shock. I received an email from Charlotte's Mom late Friday night. She included the website for Charlotte's journey, a blog they have been keeping since she was diagnosed. I haven't had the courage to look at it yet...I think I am nervous. I know that sounds a little crazy, but the last time I read it, I found out she could be even sicker and I promised God that I was giving up control and letting him take charge. The year has passed and I kept my end of the bargain...so why am I nervous? I don't think it will be long now...but I need to send an email to Charlotte's Mom first. I wanted to update this blog to share the fantastic news with all of you who supported me.
I am so thankful for this opportunity I was given, to help another. Somedays, I'm lonely, but today I feel like I made a difference. I think we all want our lives to count for something, and sometimes it's easy to forget that it is not that hard to be selfless. I would encourage you to find a way to do something selfless for someone else. It doesn't have to culminate in a hospital stay filled with big needles and ice chips, but I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and offer a hand. You never know what that person may go on to do with the life you helped mold.
I hope you have a wonderful week and I'll update more soon!
Erin
