Back by Popular Demand...

Now I know it's been a really, really long time since I've posted but, in this case, that's good news.

Since discontinuing the photopheresis last September, the bulk of my time has been spent trying to get off of the Prednisone. It's been a real struggle. Every time I'd get down to a slightly lower dose, I'd have some sort of setback. Thank God none of them have been life threatening, only very discouraging. Things at home have been very stressful and the Prednisone only added fuel to THAT fire.

Very slowly, and I mean VERY slowly, we've been decreasing my dose. Well, YeeHah! Last Thursday, Dr. Schuster said the magic words... "OK, stop the Prednisone." You can imagine my elation after soooo long!

Since I'd only been taking it once a week, on Thursdays, I haven't officially missed a dose yet. But tomorrow... well, that's another story. This is now one very happy camper.

I remember a time, not so long ago, when I was feeling somewhat better but I didn't believe that I'd ever again feel really well. Well, I can say now, that with God's help and some very talented doctorin', I'm really feeling well -- almost like the old me.

My hair is grown back, with the decrease in Prednisone my weight has gone back to normal, no longer puffy, and my energy level is great. At my monthly check-ups, I'm always surprised to see my blood tests are normal!! Really, that's the first time in my life!!

I realize that, because I didn't post in such a long time, I never mentioned some of the wonderful changes that have occurred recently. First, my daughter Rachel met Jamie and they got married last March. It was a magical night and, besides the normal mother of the bride tears, I shed tons of tears of disbelief.

Just a few short years ago, I wouldn't have imagined that I would be able to be at Rachel's wedding. But there I was -- walking my baby girl down the aisle. Like I said... Magical!

Then, about three weeks ago, (hold on to your hats) I went skydiving. That's right, I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane! (See the video here!!) Less than 48 months after my bone marrow transplant, I was soaring through the air... Truly exhilarating. I loved it!

Next on our hit parade, last Wednesday night my son Jacob became engaged to the very lovely Yasmin Spiegel.

We love her very much and could not be happier. They're planning a 2014 wedding, since Jacob is currently attending George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia and they want to wait until after graduation and the Bar.

An interesting tidbit...
David was recently contacted by Gift of Life Registry. It is an organization that tries to find bone marrow donors for those who need it. Wouldn't ya know it? He's a match!! He is going for further testing on Monday and then, if all goes well, he will be a stem cell donor shortly thereafter! Who said God doesn't have a sense of irony?! Gotta love it!

Anyway, I'm sure there's more to tell but I've exhausted my updating abilities. I'm happy to report that everyone else is doing well, thank God.

As always, I'm deeply grateful for your continued interest, thoughts, prayers and good wishes. You can't imagine the strength I get from each of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Believe in Miracles!!

More later,
xoxo
L