08.11.08
I Am Reminded to be Thankful
Between having some trouble with Wordpress and trying to fit in all I want to do in any given day, I’ve been falling behind in my blogging. Well, it’s not like I have to “keep up,” but it’s just that I’ve been accumulating pictures that I have been meaning to attach onto my blog (as well as a lot of pics left for my travelogue to the UK) and have not been able to get around to it. Now that Wordpress seems to be behaving at the moment, I wanted to make a quick post (before it starts to give me grief again) regarding something someone brought to my attention recently.
Those who know me may know that this blog came into being as a result of my aplastic anemia ordeal, which began in 1999. Or rather, from the recovery of my aplastic anemia ordeal. As I recovered, I found I had little to report regarding my aplastic anemia, and so I moved away from my AA website and started this blog just to let people know that, from my experience, there is life after aplastic anemia. I must say that I’ve been very blessed to have been able to recover from very severe aplastic anemia, where I was dependent upon red blood and platelets transfusions for a year and a half. After my AA diagnosis, my father gave me a journal to write down whatever thoughts I might have. It became a regular habit of mine to write down my thoughts and little things I had learned. Basically, I had notes on blood issues, and a separate journal for my personal thoughts. I still have those journals. One very striking thing in my journals is that virtually every single entry makes some mention of my aplastic anemia. As I started to heal, I started to write about other things aside from AA and blood. Along the way, I had also met quite a few very nice people on the net who were also, unfortunately, dealing with AA in some form or another (personally or as a caretaker of an AAer). While I know of a few who have passed on, I am happy to say that there are also those of us who have recovered and have been able to continue living our lives. Last week, I got a couple emails that reminded me of this as these emails were very nice updates! One in particular was from a mom of an AAer who visited my blog recently and said,
“I visited your new blog, too, and was thrilled to read about your many interests without encountering the words “aplastic anemia”! I am all too aware of how this disease controlled every waking moment for years.”
While her email had many nice updates of which I am so happy to hear about such as how fantastic her son is now doing (not only regarding his normal blood counts, but also moving into his newly-built house by the lake with his own boat and soon to be married! Oye!), her above statement about how AA “controlled every waking moment for years” really struck a cord with me. That statement was so true and from our past emails, I believe she really understood that from her own experience. And I am reminded once again that there is so much to be thankful for. Not only have I been blessed with my extended lease on life, but I have been doubly blessed to be receiving beautiful emails from others who have also been able to overcome AA.
The other email I got last week was also from the parents of another AAer who I’ve been in touch with. The wonderful news from this couple was that their son’s blood counts are not only stable this time, but starting to show more definite increase. He has also gone over 10 months or so without reds or platelet transfusions. This AAer is the only other person I know of aside from myself who has stuck it out without taking immunosuppressants and he is recovering. I am “thrilled!” Like my AA journey, his was a long one and was also transfusion dependent for about 1 1/2 years or even a little more.
This morning I got another email from another AA family member. After a very scary hospital stay recently, I was informed that her father (the AAer) is now home and may be showing some improvements in his blood counts. Since he is still fairly newly diagnosed, I realize he may still have quite a bit of a journey ahead of him yet, but just the fact that things didn’t look good just a few weeks ago, and now he’s much better is just another testament and reminder of how wonderfully God has made our bodies. I remember getting an infection during my AA recovery wherein my PICC line got infected and was really causing me pain. I was arranging to go to the hospital since I could not control my fever and pain, but I was afraid. And the Bible passage came to me, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” That gave me hope that I could overcome this. We are able to endure quite a bit, and come out on the other end even better than before. Who would have thought it? Who says God doesn’t perform miracles anymore?
As for me, God has been very good to me. There have been so many things I’ve been able to enjoy after my AA diagnosis that I never thought I would be able to enjoy. At one time, I really thought I was going to die, but that was now 8 years ago. I remember thinking that my life would never be that same again, that I could never trust my body again. But now I know, I was wrong. I have been able to trust my body again, and I have lived more than I had done before. I appreciate more and enjoy more. Even the simple things in life are more enjoyable to me now then they had been in the past so that now I tend to take more pictures of everything and anything, ha! The other week I was able to join my sons, Andrew and Aaron, to see the movie The Mummy. I can’t believe my youngest in now 14 years old, and my oldest is 20 years old! Yikes! So here’s a pic of the three of us. Matthew wasn’t in the mood to watch The Mummy, so he didn’t come with us.
I don’t know what God has in store for my future, but I do know that I am thankful for what He has given me. I especially cherish the moments I have with my family and friends. And I am thankful that I have been reminded to be thankful and content in all things.
Okay, that’s enough sentimentality for now. Better make myself useful especially since I’ve already used up a lot of time watching the Olympics, yikes! Every fours years when the Olympics comes around I think I really should exercise. . . but that sentiment only tends to last a couple days or so. Shall I try again to get into shape this time? Eh, eh, hmmm, nah! I really should learn to “like” exercise. Bet my heart would appreciate it.
Toodles!
Marlakins 
