Monday, December 2, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Our Train To Seville And The Lovely Hotel Abanico
We left Barcelona at about 6 AM for Seville. We purchased turista-class tickets as the only difference between turista-class and second-class was 30 Euros. So we said, "Why not!"
It was a good decision. Our train ride was quiet and relaxing. We were the only ones in the car all the way to Seville.
It was a good decision. Our train ride was quiet and relaxing. We were the only ones in the car all the way to Seville.
Seats were comfy and clean.
Empty and so quiet.
Although the movies were in Spanish, we managed to watched and still put together the story of "Snow White and the Huntsman."
Gotta have my soda and some pork rinds for the ride.
Arriving at Sevilla-Santa Justa - the ride was about 6-7 hours.
Hotel Abanico - a hotel that really embodies the beauty, character and hospitality of Seville. The workers there treated us so well and they were genuinely accommodating. I love that their coffee room is open for 24 hours.
As usual when in Europe, don't expect a double bed but instead, two twin beds put together.
The bathroom is nice and just what we needed.
These lamps were adorable.
There were potted Poinsettias everywhere.
Christian paintings/art adorned some walls and there were antique collections around the hotel.
It didn't feel like a hotel at all. This is the hotel lobby.
Here's the lovely mirror in our room and a welcome bathroom kit when we arrived.
From Hotel Abanico, we walked to all the historical sites. We chose this hotel for its location but we were amazed that the hotel itself is a destination worth experiencing.
From Hotel Abanico, we walked to all the historical sites. We chose this hotel for its location but we were amazed that the hotel itself is a destination worth experiencing.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Barcelona's La Boqueria
I'd like to take a break from my road to transplant posts. I have to keep living and reminiscing our trip to Spain last year makes me long for the thrill of travel again. I took these photos on one of our nightly walks at La Rambla. Our hotel was on La Rambla so this gave us an opportunity to enjoy the lights and crowd that La Rambla offers.
Here are photos taken at La Boqueria. There's so much life and color here. It's vibrant and it's always full of people. For me, it's the colors of sweets and produce that entices me to spend hours here.
Here are photos taken at La Boqueria. There's so much life and color here. It's vibrant and it's always full of people. For me, it's the colors of sweets and produce that entices me to spend hours here.
These Mangoes were HUGE. The photo doesn't really show it, but I've never seen such large Mangoes.
My weakness...locally made sweets.
You can see that I hovered at this shop for quite a long time.
Spiral lollipops, olive oil bottles and more.
Peppers and vegetables.
Mushrooms
These are soft candies covered in sugar. They also come in different flavors.
La Boqueria also offers places for lunch and really good tapas. It's worth a visit and I think it's a great place to shop and eat.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Waiting Angry
Yesterday, Dr. D walked into my infusion room. After the unnecessary nice chit-chat, she dropped a bomb. "We're having a hard time finding you a matched donor. Could we test your parents and siblings again?" My heart fell and my hopes to be cured began to wither.
Truly, life has a way of throwing curve balls. I feel like I've been dodging them ever since. Waiting for a donor is a painful process. During the preliminary search, my doctors at NIH said I have possible 132 donors in the US alone and an additional 130 in the international registry. So what happened? Is Dr. D saying that none of these donors match me fully?
I was so angry yesterday. Having a bone-marrow failure really is a test of mind and body, and I feel like I am being pushed to my limit. My patience is so short I could snap at anybody or anyone. I feel that my disease is changing me.
Kepi did offer a calmer perspective that "Dr. D is just making sure there's a plan B in placed in case a fully matched unrelated donor is not found." Perhaps but I didn't want to hear a plan B. I want a non-experimental approach to my cure. I want to be cured period.
Anyway, I am back to being frantic and worried again. I seriously need some good news today or in the next few days.
Truly, life has a way of throwing curve balls. I feel like I've been dodging them ever since. Waiting for a donor is a painful process. During the preliminary search, my doctors at NIH said I have possible 132 donors in the US alone and an additional 130 in the international registry. So what happened? Is Dr. D saying that none of these donors match me fully?
I was so angry yesterday. Having a bone-marrow failure really is a test of mind and body, and I feel like I am being pushed to my limit. My patience is so short I could snap at anybody or anyone. I feel that my disease is changing me.
Kepi did offer a calmer perspective that "Dr. D is just making sure there's a plan B in placed in case a fully matched unrelated donor is not found." Perhaps but I didn't want to hear a plan B. I want a non-experimental approach to my cure. I want to be cured period.
Anyway, I am back to being frantic and worried again. I seriously need some good news today or in the next few days.
Friday, October 4, 2013
A Friday Thought
I seem to be getting my blogging spirit back but that's probably because I need an outlet or a place to vent. I am yearning for a place - a safe place that no illness can reach.
Preparations for the bone marrow transplant is rolling as we speak. The hospital sent me a message that HLA testing results should be in by next week. After that, they'd be able to identify my 10/10 match. I am praying they'd find him/her soon, and I hope he/she will say, "Yes".
Timing is a bit off because if my calculation is right, I'll be admitted at the hospital by late November or early December. I dread spending Christmas at the hospital. It won't be easy not being home during the holidays especially that I'll be spending at least four to six weeks in there.
On another thought, I wanted to write about my transplant experience on this blog, but since my husband's company wants to set up bone marrow drives in the area, I had to start a new blog for them to use for their campaign. (I didn't like the idea of my husband's coworkers reading about our personal stuff so I'm keeping this blog just for us.)
So if you'd be interested to follow my bone marrow journey, please follow me here - kayni's bone marrow. I also started a Facebook page to create awareness on rare diseases and the urgent need for minority bone marrow donors, please help me disseminate information by liking this Facebook Page. This is the least I can do for now. This page will also publish current bone marrow drives going on in the area.
I wish everyone a happy Friday and a great weekend. Thank you for all the encouraging comments, please keep them coming.
Preparations for the bone marrow transplant is rolling as we speak. The hospital sent me a message that HLA testing results should be in by next week. After that, they'd be able to identify my 10/10 match. I am praying they'd find him/her soon, and I hope he/she will say, "Yes".
Timing is a bit off because if my calculation is right, I'll be admitted at the hospital by late November or early December. I dread spending Christmas at the hospital. It won't be easy not being home during the holidays especially that I'll be spending at least four to six weeks in there.
On another thought, I wanted to write about my transplant experience on this blog, but since my husband's company wants to set up bone marrow drives in the area, I had to start a new blog for them to use for their campaign. (I didn't like the idea of my husband's coworkers reading about our personal stuff so I'm keeping this blog just for us.)
So if you'd be interested to follow my bone marrow journey, please follow me here - kayni's bone marrow. I also started a Facebook page to create awareness on rare diseases and the urgent need for minority bone marrow donors, please help me disseminate information by liking this Facebook Page. This is the least I can do for now. This page will also publish current bone marrow drives going on in the area.
I wish everyone a happy Friday and a great weekend. Thank you for all the encouraging comments, please keep them coming.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Uncharted Territory
I am now traversing in uncharted territory.
I sat underneath a tree and the world kept moving without hesitation. What they say is true, you can be the loneliest person even in one of the busiest cities in the world.
People I know are out there planning their lives, while I'm planning for the unknown. Does the word "future" still exist for me? On days I feel like shopping, I'd stop myself from buying clothes because I'd question if I'd still be alive long enough to wear them.
I've been crying a lot. I am also scared, but the scariest are still to come.
I've decided to push through with the bone marrow transplant (BMT). My doctor said, "Soon, the blood and platelet transfusions will stop working. So it's either you do it or die." I appreciate my doctor's bluntness, as it puts things in perspective.
The past few weeks have been spent consulting with two transplant centers - Baltimore and New York. I've decided to have the treatment closer to home - Baltimore. The transplant consultations took a lot out of me. My stress and anxiety are through the roof hearing all the new terminology - chemotherapy, radiation, side effects, graft versus host disease (GVHD), isolation, loss of hair, fatigue etc. These will be the words that would accompany my journey.
Difficult as it may seem (and it is really difficult), I try to look for the silver lining:
I sat underneath a tree and the world kept moving without hesitation. What they say is true, you can be the loneliest person even in one of the busiest cities in the world.
People I know are out there planning their lives, while I'm planning for the unknown. Does the word "future" still exist for me? On days I feel like shopping, I'd stop myself from buying clothes because I'd question if I'd still be alive long enough to wear them.
I've been crying a lot. I am also scared, but the scariest are still to come.
I've decided to push through with the bone marrow transplant (BMT). My doctor said, "Soon, the blood and platelet transfusions will stop working. So it's either you do it or die." I appreciate my doctor's bluntness, as it puts things in perspective.
The past few weeks have been spent consulting with two transplant centers - Baltimore and New York. I've decided to have the treatment closer to home - Baltimore. The transplant consultations took a lot out of me. My stress and anxiety are through the roof hearing all the new terminology - chemotherapy, radiation, side effects, graft versus host disease (GVHD), isolation, loss of hair, fatigue etc. These will be the words that would accompany my journey.
Difficult as it may seem (and it is really difficult), I try to look for the silver lining:
- I have a chance to be cured
- I have 43 in the US, 143 international - donors in the preliminary search
- I have a loving husband that supports and uplifts me. THANK YOU, KEPI!
- My family's support and prayers
- My friends' unceasing messages and prayers
- My employer's support and acceptance of my new situation
- I found a compassionate, understanding doctor
- God will see me through this journey
- And MORE!!!
Sometimes, I still feel this Aplastic Anemia/MDS thing is a dream, and how I wish it has never come to me.
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