Keeping You Posted...

I just thought that I would update you on what’s been going on. I’ve decided to go with a drug called PDX, it was an option earlier on to use, but since the trial was recently revised- and I’m the first Hodgkin’s patient to get the new version. I have lots of good news: there is a large chance that I will not lose my hair. I told my doctor, “Okay, I know that we have an agenda for me to get healthy here, but it’s taken me two years for my hair to reach my shoulders, I really don’t want to take the chance of losing it again.” He said he doesn’t think that I will [insert prayers here] :-) More good news I don’t have to get a port-a-cath-(Which is a small device placed under the skin in you chest. It empties into a blood vessel and makes it easier to give chemotherapy and to take blood for tests.) I’ve had two- and I really don't like having a port. And, the best news of all, I get to be home for my birthday! The only bummer is I have to get all of the tests that I just had done two months ago re-done. That includes bone marrow, and that gets done a week from Monday. Since I have an awesome doctor he’s arranged for me to be put to sleep this time. As soon as all the tests are completed, I’ll start PDX.

I have to tell you a great story… Someone who visited my website was nice enough to give me New York Knicks tickets. I love basketball! It was on the Feb 28th, and I had doctor appointments earlier that day. The game was at night and it was snowing like crazy outside. I got done with the appointments earlier than expected, and since I’m staying in Madison, NJ, we really didn’t have anywhere to go for a good three to four hours. My Dad called Madison Square Garden just to see if it would be at all possible if we could get into the facility a little earlier. They said they would call us back. Twenty five minutes later we they called and they asked us to meet someone from the Garden an hour and a half earlier than the ticket time in front of the Play by Play restaurant. We did, and I expected him to show us to our seats, but instead he took us on to floor seats on the court and we got to watch the shoot a round! I couldn’t believe what was happening! It gets better... then this man named Cal, who has got to be one of the nicest men I have ever met, introduced me to Penny Hardaway, Vlade Divac, Trevor Ariza, and Walt Fraiser! Then we met Larry, who also works at Madison Square Garden, and he asked Knicks photographer took a picture of my Dad and I on the court- and he did! It was insane! It will honestly go down as one of the best times I’ve ever had. Thanks to the family who gave me tickets and everyone at the Garden who made it such a special night.

Fighting 2 Win
-Alese

Ps- I know I haven't posted pictures in a long time, it's because I'm running a 56k modem on the east coast and it takes like an hour to load one picture. So while I'm in town, I'm going to connect with my web master and we'll load some pictures- I have so much to show you guys!