Sniffles, Surgeries Go Away!

I'm sick again. I hate it! This is probably my second or third bout of sniffles this year. Our freezing weather here is not helping my sniffly situation at all.

I'm sick but I feel safe under the loving and watchful eyes of Daisy.

It is brutally cold. Our heater has been churning non-stop since we came home from our Amsterdam vacation. The weatherman said something about some deep freeze and bomb cyclone. Whatever is going on weather-wise, it is uncomfortably cold. I've been wearing three to four layers of winter wear but the coldness still creeps in all the way to my bones. I'm not sure if the weather is just that bad or that I'm just getting old.

However, I am quite excited to be celebrating my fourth bone-marrow transplant' re-birthday on January 11th. I will be seeing my transplant doctor on the 12th for my annual blood work, biopsy and pulmonary function test. As always, I hope for normal counts and results. I'm hoping that my body will be fully recovered from the sniffles when I go in for my tests.

On another note, I thought we were going to start 2018 surgery free, but Kepi will be going through another head surgery this month. His doctor found a fracture on his skull where his brain surgery took place. I'm not happy about this, but his doctor said it needs to be sealed as it will help with the return of his hearing and to avoid future infections. You see, Kepi's hearing on his left ear has not returned since his brain tumor surgery. We are hoping this surgery will solve this hearing problem.

There was a time I kept wondering why we're always facing health and other challenges in life. However, I don't ask questions anymore. I know there will always be trials. I just have to keep praying that Kepi and I will both have the strength and resilience to overcome them.

Happy New Year to everyone! May 2018 bring us strength and resilience to overcome any challenges that come our way.

New Year's Day

On New Year's Day, Kepi, Daisy and I were out for an afternoon walk when we caught glimpse of the lovely Maryland sky. The sky was a perfect backdrop to the almost leafless trees of winter.

The sky was on fire for a moment, then darkness took over.

This is my entry to:
 Wordless Wednesday
Ruby Tuesday
and Skywatch Friday.

Ciao 2013! Aloha 2014!

A few hours from now, a brand new year begins.

What can I say, 2013 was a difficult year. Yes, I used "was" because I am so ready to leave this year behind.  It seems auspicious that my treatment begins on January 1st signaling that 2014 would be a year of hope and healing. I pray that 2014 will be a kinder, more generous and fulfilling year.

I don't specifically hate this year, but it is a year that I cried the most and spent a lot of time in hospitals. However, I will try to find the good things about it because the good things "always" outweigh the bad.

• I got married - May 3rd
• I came to know the courageous part of me
• Got closer to God, family and friends
• Sold my first home at Vision
• Paid off my credit cards
• Bought a new home with my husband
• Felt the support of family and friends
• Found the support of coworkers and my firm
• Met a kind, understanding transplant doctor
• Took several road trips - Niagara Falls Canada, New York, New Jersey, VA Beach etc.

Thank you 2013 for all the blessings you have brought and the lessons you have taught.

Wishing everyone a blessed 2014! Thank you so much for the love and support.

Love,

Kayni