Judy went back to work parttime this week.  Only a few hours working from home.  This amount will definitely NOT cover her bills, while she is awaiting a disability claim.  So, no pressure from her or her family, but if you are led and are able to help out, she (and we) would be most grateful!

From Judy,

I received most of my test results back yesterday. The endoscopy and colonoscopy confirm that I have graft verses host disease in my body. (Mouth, eyes, gut, etc)I started steroids today to fight it. Some are asking what GVHD is.

Graft verses host disease is associated with a non-family donor. My donor is a young male from Europe in his 20’s. That’s all I know about the donor. GVHD can develop if you have an allogeneic transplant (which I did)

"Graft-versus-host disease can occur when white blood cells from the donor (the graft) see cells in your body (the host) as foreign and attack" Hopefully the steroids will take care of this. The CT scan confirmed another nodule in my right lung, this one bigger than the original one found. They are concerned about infection that could lead to pneumonia or could be a possible malignancy, but they will start out treating it as an infection and keep a close eye on it. I will have another CT scan in 4-5 weeks. I started two new antibiotics today to fight the infection. I have to go back weekly again for appointments instead of once per month. 😢 I just hate it but will do what’s needed.

They will postpone childhood immunizations again for now. I can't receive immunizations if I have active GVHD present. I go tomorrow to the pulmonologist again and will get results from the pulmonary testing last week. Also my labs all went down, not terribly, but down. They need to continue going up. My myloids and T-cells are all 100% donor now so that’s good news. I hate being on all these new meds, especially the steroids and dealing with the side effects but I’ll take a day at a time. I just take so many meds already! My doctor says that the new med will lower my immunity and has recommended I continue to stay out of places with a lot of people.

I’m trusting the Lord regarding the new nodule in my right lung for healing and for healing the graft verses host disease in my body. Where else can I turn but to the Lord? I lift my eyes up to the maker of the heavens and creator of the earth, which is where my help comes from. I trust the Lord and ask you to trust with me for complete healing. Good news, I am currently still considered cancer free. ❤️ Thanks for prayers, texts& phone calls. Much love to you all.

From Judy:

Just a quick update. At my appointment on Monday, all of my lab numbers had gone up. Some by just a little but they were up! Big praises! They have scheduled my bone marrow biopsy for tomorrow which will tell if there is any remaining cancer. I am trusting of course, no more cancer, please trust with me. I won’t have those results back until next Thursday.

Today I saw an Ophthalmologist in Pineville who confirmed that I have developed the “graft/host” disease. 😞

I’m just glad to know. I have been experiencing what mimics pink eye. Same type symptoms except this is not contagious. Now I will go under treatment for this and hopefully get some relief. Both eyes are affected. Thank you family for love and prayers. God has held my hand all the way through this journey and I know He holds me still. I’m very grateful for His loving kindness to me!

From Judy:

I haven't sent any updates for a while, so since people are asking, I want to update everyone.

Today is Day 88 since my transplant.  My lab numbers have been fluctuating a bit.  All numbers are still in safe zones, I'm happy to say, but the hope is that my numbers would continue going up, rather than go up and down.  There's no real answer as to why there are fluctuations at this point.  My doctor has ordered a bone marrow biopsy for next Thursday.  This biopsy will tell if there is any cancer remaining.  Of course, my prayer is no remaining cancer and I am trusting the Lord fully for the outcome.  Please trust with me.  So far I am happy to report I have no symptoms that I might be developing graft/host disease.  This is something they keep a very close eye on.  At yesterday's appointment my doctor said he wants me to continue with 2/week appointments to keep an eye on my labs.  We had hoped I would be ready to go to 1/week starting next week.  Most of my days I feel okay.  I have good and not so good days.  I don't have a big appetite, but I am eating.  I'm thankful for God's hand on my life and the way He cares for me.  Thank you, my dear friends and family for your prayers and love.

Judy's labs have been slowly increasing.  No signs of graft/host disease.  New stem cells are making the numbers,  not blood transfusions!  She is slowly starting to take in more food without nausea, and appetite is also slowly on the move!  

She recently had another major medical bill that ended up in her lap, not the insurance.  That was a setback.

So grateful for any and all who are praying and helping financially!  Blessings!

Judy wanted to try to reply as she is able.  This is from her.

I want to thank my friends and family for your love and generosity.  It's humbling, to say the least, to be in this situation, but I thank you all with much love from my heart and I ask God's blessings upon you all!

Judy

Judy was able to go home from the hospital today!  Blood counts are up and she is improving!  She will be under home-quarantine with help for 100 days, with bloodwork three times a week.  Exciting news!  Keep those prayers coming!  Thanks all!