I've Had Better Days…
They told me that I could possibly die from this, in all honesty, that thought has never entered my mind...
Me, die from Hodgkin’s disease, no, I’m not, sorry! Maybe a fiery car accident or a possible earthquake. But, Hodgkin’s disease? NO. And, trust me, I could read you a list of a couple dozen people I know who’ve died from HD in the last two years, I’ve never thought it would effect me in that way and I still don't. I Fight 2 Win, period. End of statement.
My doctor appointment with Dr. O was going well until this subject came up and then I got really angry and really emotional and not necessarily in that order. But, then Dr. O reminded me were I was two years ago when I first came to Sloan Kettering for treatment, my options were also limited, I understand “limited options” to still mean “options” and as long as I have options, life is still at hand. In a conversation after the appointment with my Dad, he told me that he and my Mom have been talking to several other leading HD researchers around the country over the last week and my cup remains half full.
At some point, the plan will be to achieve some type of complete remission using more aggressive therapies and possibly some type of transplant will be involved, most likely an umbilical cord transplant, which carries a complete cure rate of somewhere between 25% – 35%. And, I will still have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials if that ever became necessary, there is a whole new class of drugs available to treat me and unless a transplant takes, but Dr. O feels he can treat and control this cancer. Although, I don’t want to do any type of transplant, I refer to my New York friend Vinnie, who says it best. “I’ll do’s what I gotta do’s.” and I will.
There are two more days of Hanukkah and just five days until Christmas… As we celebrate this holiday season and the New Year is upon us… May the richness of our Mighty Maker engulf your life, may the freshness of the New Year fill your hearts with compassion for those hurting, love for those without hope, and joy knowing that our eternal reward is near.
God bless you all.
Fight 2 Win,
-Alese
Me, die from Hodgkin’s disease, no, I’m not, sorry! Maybe a fiery car accident or a possible earthquake. But, Hodgkin’s disease? NO. And, trust me, I could read you a list of a couple dozen people I know who’ve died from HD in the last two years, I’ve never thought it would effect me in that way and I still don't. I Fight 2 Win, period. End of statement.
My doctor appointment with Dr. O was going well until this subject came up and then I got really angry and really emotional and not necessarily in that order. But, then Dr. O reminded me were I was two years ago when I first came to Sloan Kettering for treatment, my options were also limited, I understand “limited options” to still mean “options” and as long as I have options, life is still at hand. In a conversation after the appointment with my Dad, he told me that he and my Mom have been talking to several other leading HD researchers around the country over the last week and my cup remains half full.
At some point, the plan will be to achieve some type of complete remission using more aggressive therapies and possibly some type of transplant will be involved, most likely an umbilical cord transplant, which carries a complete cure rate of somewhere between 25% – 35%. And, I will still have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials if that ever became necessary, there is a whole new class of drugs available to treat me and unless a transplant takes, but Dr. O feels he can treat and control this cancer. Although, I don’t want to do any type of transplant, I refer to my New York friend Vinnie, who says it best. “I’ll do’s what I gotta do’s.” and I will.
There are two more days of Hanukkah and just five days until Christmas… As we celebrate this holiday season and the New Year is upon us… May the richness of our Mighty Maker engulf your life, may the freshness of the New Year fill your hearts with compassion for those hurting, love for those without hope, and joy knowing that our eternal reward is near.
God bless you all.
Fight 2 Win,
-Alese