Somewhere in the last few days (or the next few days) is my 200th day post transplant. Caity just read this and double checked my math and it looks like my 200th day post transplant was the 28th. So Yee-Haw for me I guess. I know that I feel a lot better than at day 100 post transplant, but I also know that I've got a long way to go before I'm back in fighting shape. Or any shape for that matter. I'm at a loss for words at the fact that it's been over half a year since I went in for the procedure. Time has really flown by, and although most of the trip was very unpleasant, I would have to say that it was worth it because I'm still alive to type this today.
So what wondrous insights do I have from my experiences that I can share with you as a 200 day veteran of a bone marrow transplant? Nothing except don't get cancer if you can avoid it. If you've been reading my journal and you haven't found the desire to eat better, or get more exercise, or do something to help your future self out, well then I'm not sure why you keep coming to my website. Believe me when I say that you DO NOT want to be celebrating a 200th day anniversary for any type of cancer related procedure. All that means is you've just spent the last 200 days of your life in a very uncomfortable state to put it mildly. You haven't been able to work, you aren't allowed to go to any public places, and you end up missing a lot of interesting things because you've been stuck at home watching daytime television.
Now, I've been known to fly off the handle in this journal from time to time, and there have been times when I've made a few people mad, but I'm trying really hard not to go into another one of my rants. Unfortunately, I know people out there who read my journal every day and do nothing for themselves to prevent something like this from happening to them. I realize that there are some habits out there that are almost impossible to break, and my heart goes out to them if they ever get sick. If science comes up with a reason for why people get Leukemia, and it turns out it's from eating chocolate, well then I'm going to feel really stupid for eating so much chocolate all those years ago. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I almost lost the chance to watch my kids grow up, and the only reason I'm here right now is because of a procedure that was invented only 20 years ago. If this was 1970, I would have lived for about half a year and that would have been it and Caity would be a single mother of two. I got very lucky in the fact that I got a type of cancer with a very high cure rate. There are some other forms of cancer out there that aren't as friendly, and I really feel sad for anyone out there unfortunate enough to get stuck with them.
If I could have one wish, it would be to give everyone in the world the power and strength to stop just one horrible habit before it's too late. It's not too late to throw out that pack of cigarettes, or stop pissing your money away buying fast food that has no nutritional value. It's never too late to get off your ass and get some excursive. It's never, ever to late to look at your friends and loved ones and realize that you want to be around to see them as long as possible.
I'm trying really hard not to sound preachy. My only goal here is to prevent someone from having to go through what I went through. Believe me when I say that no habit is worth going through chemotherapy. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. If you don't believe me, then I can count ten people who have been through much worse and I'm sure they'd back me up on this point.
This entry hasn't been directed at any one person in particular, but if you think I'm talking about you, then maybe you should look in a mirror and set some new priorities in life. I do know several people I wish I could help, but all I can offer them is my love and support, and the knowledge that if they ever needed any help with anything I would be the first person to step up and offer any help I could. Like I said before, if it means that I help one person avoid a stay at the Tom Baker I'll do anything and everything I can. Don't believe me? My email is at the top of the page. Hold me to what I've just said, you won't be disappointed. Send an email to both addresses if you want, I'll answer any and every email I get.
On that note, I wanted to let everyone out there know that I'm going to start volunteering at the Tom Baker in the near future. It's one four hour shift a week, so I think I'll be able to handle it, but I hope that helps you see how committed I am to beating this stupid disease. There's an information session on June 1st that I'll be attending, and then it sounds like they interview each person individually to see where they would fit the best. I'm not sure where they'll place me, but with my experience as a bone marrow transplant recipient, I'm hoping that I can be put in a place where I can help the patients as well as their friends and family that have to go through the procedure.
I'll stop preaching now, and be on my way. I hope this entry hasn't fallen of deaf ears because you really have no idea how horrible life can feel like if you're not careful. They say that one in three people will get cancer, so let me be the cancer statistic instead of you and do something to fix your current lifestyle. Do it for your family, do it for your friends, and do it for yourself so that the next time I go to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, I don't see you there.
Take care.
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