More like myself every day...

Hey there Everyone.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful days of Autumn. Here in the Bay Area it is our "summer", In the Midwest and East Coast there is that certain crispness in the air I always love!!

I know it has been awhile since I have written. Things are going really really well though. I am feeling stronger and stronger and more like myself everyday. It’s amazing how the strong the human body can be and delicate it is at the same time.

We found out last week that I should be going back into the hospital either the 16th or 17th of Oct and will get the transplant on the 23rd or 24th. The first part of my hospital visit will be another round of Chemo the following about a 2 day rest period I will get the transplant. My total stay may be 4 to 6 weeks, followed by a long recovery at home.

It has been so wonderful to be out of the hospital I have been really caring for my body in various holistic ways and caring for my spirit by spending time with friends and family and kitties and being outdoors. There’s not enough hours in the day to see everyone I want to see!!

Noah and I went to Half Moon Bay (a sweet town on the coast 1 hour South of San Fran). We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary. It was so wonderful and so healing to be on the beach, take long walks, eat yummie food and be with each other.

My parents have been in town a little over a week now and it is so nice to have them here. We are setting up house and figuring out how 4 adults can live in a smallish house in a good way. They are figuring out how they can take care of themselves here. I know they are so involved in East Pointe. So I understand it must be difficult in some ways. Noah and I are so grateful though and it is a very huge lesson in love

I feel very much at peace around this next step. I am remembering these moments when my body is feeling really good and my mind is at peace. Reminding myself of the peaceful places. A couple nights ago while in Half Moon Bay, I had a dream that my blood counts were perfectly normal and I was fully healed. No one was telling me this in the dream; I just knew it to be true. I woke up feeling better then ever and uplifted

I have had the opportunity to talk to a couple of women who have been thru what I am about to go thru. It is encouraging to have recourse and compare notes and ask about their experiences. They are here as a resource for me as I have questions and fears thru this process.

Those of you that go to my Blog I know I said I would have my brother David post some pictures, but I have been slow about that. Stay tuned for pictures at the blog in the next couples days. Noah is trying to solve a technical issue.

Much love to all of you. Enjoy your Thursday morning.

Thank you for all your prayers and support for my family and I. Thank you for sending prayers to the donor, she is giving such a huge gift to me.

Big Prayers
Big Love
Big Purrrs
Namaste
Victoria

Feeling Strong...

Hello Lovely Community

I hope all is well in your lives.

I know I promised pictures but I am embarrassed to say I do not know how to take them off my camera. So when Noah is home on Friday I will send pictures of the walk this weekend.

As you know I walked with Noah and a group of 13 friends for Light the Night. We raised 825.00 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. It was such an honor and a blessing to be there. I felt so empowered and supported. It felt good to be there, to be able to walk and to carry the white balloon that identified me as a survivor and someone in treatment for Leukemia.

It is my intention that next year I will be up on the stage sharing my story of the power of community and prayer in what ever form that takes. I want to share my story with everyone.

We are still awaiting the final word as to when I will go into the hospital. As usual all the puzzle pieces will fall into place all at the same time. Hopefully we will know at the end of this week.

I feel really strong in my body and in my heart. It feels so good to be at home but I am ready for this next step.

My parents arrived in the Bay Area and are staying with my brother 45 minutes south of San Francisco, They will be here tomorrow to get comfortable and set themselves up here in our home. We will all have some time together outside of the hospital setting. This is another blessing.

It is sooooooooooo important to have a committed group of care givers during my healing process. I feel very lucky that I have my parents and Noah. They will be my primary care givers after the transplant.

I will send pictures on Saturday and will include pictures of Katrina and Zeus, our 2 kitties. Katrina is orange and I have had her for 7 years and Zeus is a little over 1 years old, is huge and black and Noah and I have had him since Aug last year.

Talk with you all soon.
Have a wonderful evening and peaceful Dreams.

Namaste
Victoria

Feeling fine...

Hello Everyone

I hope you all are enjoying life. Things have been wonderful here. I feel really good and savoring my time at home and my ability to care for myself in many, many healing ways. When things get rough again, I will remember these moments and remind myself of the light and strength I am experiencing right now.

We found out this week that most likely I will be going in the hospital the beginning of Oct. We also found out the donor is a woman who is 35 years old. So help me send lots of prayers of gratitude and well being for this amazing and giving person!!

We also got word that the CMV virus that I had is now showing up as negative, also very good news and a sign that I am getting stronger.

This Saturday we are walking in the Light The Night fund raiser. I am so excited about doing this. At first I was concerned that I was taking on too much. But I realize what a gift it will be to be with so many people who are supporting research and the people in their lives who is or has battled Blood Cancers, and people that have gone thru or are going thru what I am going thru. What a blessing to be in the presence of others like myself. And so many loving supporters like all of you.

It is certainly a sacred ceremony.

My parents arrive the middle of next week and will be staying with Noah and I for what could be a couple of months to act as care givers with my husband Noah. As usual their strength and positive and powerful way of being is such a gift in my life. I am also so grateful for their community that is so supportive and loving in so many ways. Noah and I want to extend our love and thanks for giving them the support they need. Thank you Thank you.

We will take pictures at the walk and put them at the blog.

Have the sweetest dreams and an amazing weekend.

Namaste
Victoria

So we wait...

Hey there Everyone

I know its been a few days since I’ve updated everyone. We have been waiting to hear when I go back in to the hospital and what the next step will be.

Dr. Martin is still waiting to hear from the donor. But he says "don’t worry be happy"...

So we wait. This is a practice. Seems we are always waiting for some test, or some decision, or some appointment. So I have realize again.. just enjoy this moment and have faith.

I feel strong tho and getting stronger and gaining wait more and more. It is amazing that each day I can feel my body come back into balance. I am finding my center. I know I am preparing for more steps in this process but my spirit and faith is strong.

Below is an email that my friend Jana sent out. Noah, Jana and hopefully I will be walking in Light the Night. Read her email below for details. If you are interested in donating follow the URL she has provided.

Much love to all of you. I hope you have a peace and joyful Sunday.
Thank you so much for all you do for Noah and I, thank you for your emails, cards, phone calls, prayers and positive vibrations!!!

Much love, Big prayers
Victoria

************************************************

Please, if you can, make a tax deductible donation towards Team Victoria!!

http://www.active.com/donate/ltnSanFr1/1895_jaxelredLTN

Your help is greatly appreciated,
Jana Axelrad
and Team Victoria

Back Home...

Hello lovely Community

I hope you all are having a nice Friday. I am once again at home. I was discharged yesterday around 3PM. It is of course nice to be home. I feel like I am here to stay for several weeks till the next phase of my treatment.

I haven’t had fevers in over 24 hours and I feel pretty good. Just a little weak. I am hoping I can start walking a little and moving about.
If the fog goes away today, I may even attempt a short walk.

The good thing is I am home and out of the hospital.

I hope you all have a sweet and restful holiday weekend, whatever you choose to do have a wonderful time doing it. I’ll of course keep you posted. I will go to clinic next week as usual for my usual check in with the doctor.

All my love
All my prayers

Namaste
Victoria