Day at the beach by Noel.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

weekend fever

Wow do I have a supportive community behind me or what? In addition to the parking lot sale on Saturday, there was a barbeque held by the Marquez family, whom I don't know nor have ever met, and the proceeds were generously given to my family. They have also been advising words of wisdom from their personal experience and showering me with wonderful gifts. Thank you very much and happy belated birthday Victoria! This was very generous of the family and done out of the kindness of their heart. Again, thank you very much and God bless you because he has certainly blessed me.

Well I certainly know how to give my parents a scare now, they had to take me to the ER after I spiked a reoccurring fever at home starting Friday. I went to the ER Saturday, and blood labs were done. Everything was clean, no infections, and my counts were actually going up which is good because they are very low. Just as a precaution I was given antibiotics through an IV and so on Sunday I had to return to get the rest of the antibiotics. It was not fun in the ER at all, there was a lot of waiting that had to go on, , it's not the cleanest friendliest reliable place, I had a high fever, I didn't feel well and I had the chills, and I was just hungry and wanted to go home. All of that together doesn't make the nicest person, but I tried to be as kind as possible while trying to stay sane. I did get through it and I am feeling much better now. Blood labs were just taken so now I have to wait for the results to see when I start chemo again.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Parking Lot Sale

As some may know, the Parking Lot sale did very well and a lot of people showed up. Many came to support, help out, buy items, donate money, items or their time and much more. Luckily I was able to go for a little bit, and I tried to thank as many people as I could. I would like to thank everyone who came on Saturday and donated their time to help out, my family and I were overwhelmed in a good way with all the support. Team Noel and so many more people donated so much time and I don't know how many times I can thank you guys. Seeing everyone who came to help and support me seems so unrealistic. Words cannot explain how glad I was when I saw all those people taking their time to come see me and help out on Saturday. It's unbelievable to realize how much God has blessed me with my own team, so many supporters, and a wonderful family. They all and even more dedicated so much just to help me and make sure I am well. Homeschooling is finally starting and I'm very excited to get back into learning and everything. I found out the classes I will have for this trimester and they are Honors History, Psychology, Algebra 2, and Art.This is another step for God to prepare me for a regular lifestyle again. 
 
 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
                                                                                                Psalms 107:1





Thursday, September 2, 2010

Getting through all the chemo

So last week officially sucked. Chemo everyday and feeling like I had the flu all week, that was definitely a blast! Although, I still wouldn't change anything one bit. God put me in this situation for a reason, and so far it has been a great. So many people helping and supporting me, it is inspiring and unbelievable. Well my family and I made a trip to Santa Barbara, I got another lumbar puncture and I ended up having to get a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin. So that took up the rest of my day yesterday. As I sat in the hospital with all the other adults getting transfusions, I thought to myself as I studied each of them "What are their stories? What is God's plan for them? Where is their family or support group?" then I looked over at my parents and remembered how grateful I am to have them and everyone else supporting me all the time. I usually don't remember waking up after my procedures are finished. Although I do remember waking up yesterday and hearing the cry of a young child. Yet again the same questions ran through my mind. While I waited to fully recover from the anesthesia I met the young child who was crying. She was almost three years old with these beautiful big brown eyes. She too had A.L.L leukemia and was in maintenance stage. This baby didn't know what was going on, every time she was visiting the hospital or getting poked to get labs done. All she knew or could say about her situation was "I'm sick". It made me thankful to at least be aware of my situation and to know and comprehend everything. I sat there inspired and amazed thinking "If this baby can get through all of this, I definitely can too."

God made you on purpose for a purpose. 
                                                      ~Max Lucado

Monday, August 23, 2010

All last week and this weekend seem to be a blur, but I will do my best to try and remember most of it. I have been spending mainly all of my time outside in the pool listening to music and relaxing. I could spend all day in or by the pool just relaxing because everything is so nice and peaceful outside. If I'm not outside I'm inside writing thank you cards or watching The Godfather with my dad. That movie and Fantastic Mr. Fox are officially my two favorite movies. Yesterday it was nice to get out of the house and go to my grandparents house and have a BBQ with the family. It's been over a month since I've been to their house due to me getting sick, but it was extremely nice and you couldn't have asked for greater weather. Great news from the doctor, the Monosomy seven testing came back and it was clear. So right now I don't have any Leukemia cells OR Monosomy seven genes in my body! It was a wonderful week, great news from the doctor, no trip to Santa Barbara on Friday, no chemo all week and I haven't felt this good in a while. This week is going to be the challenge. I go to Santa Barbara tomorrow and I have to go to the actual hospital to be in the ICU all day. I get a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and new chemo injected into my spine, and I also start new medication which is chemo in pill form. Then to top everything off I get chemo at home through my port on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It will be tough, but it's nothing I can't handle. I'm willing to take on this challenge. All it takes is positive attitudes and prayers, and you are set. I'm actually thankful I'm going through all of this stuff this week, because it means my body is responding to everything very well. I am what you call a Rapid Early Responder to the chemo. The name says it all. Some people ask me if I'm scared, but what is there to be scared of? Honestly I'm not afraid of anything as I go through this. I'm completely knocked out during all of my procedures and there is nothing to be scared of when I'm at home. If you put all of your trust in God's hands, then you never have to worry or be scared and everything turns out to be fun.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Playing Catch up

Trying to play catch up from the last time I blogged. Friday I went to Santa Barbara and had a typical marrow biopsy and I had chemo through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), but no regular chemo through my port. Everything went as planned, but I had a very low hemoglobin. Normal level is from eleven to sixteen, and I was at six. Saturday was pretty tough, and my parents were going to take me to the hospital to get a blood transfusion due to my low hemoglobin. Although it turned out I was having withdraws from being taken off one of my medications and the chemo. So low hemoglobin, chemo and being taken off a medication led to a crummy day. Sunday was better though. Even though I only got an hour of sleep Saturday night, I was feeling much better and normal again. My family and I spent the whole day outside by and in the pool barbecuing and relaxing. Monday, I stayed outside all day. I swam with my little sister then took a nap by the pool then finished the day off by wading around in the pool. Tuesday I received news from Friday. My MRD test, which is the test to detect the number of leukemic cells in my marrow , came back negative! Also, my usual blood testing was done, and my platelet count was at 277 and my hemoglobin was at eight! My grandparents came over to visit and after my dad and I swam. He got me to really swim just like before, so I did about ten laps in my pool. I am feeling it in my legs today, but it was so worth it. Today was a great day, my boyfriend and two friends came over and hung out with me. Soon I am going to sit down and write thank you letters to everyone who has helped and supported my family and I through all of this, for example Stephanie Thorndyke made my family and I a bunch of delicious food today and so did Carol Testerman last week. Not to mention everyone involved in fundraising efforts and even reading my blogs. Your support and love helps me more than you know.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Well it feels like ages since I have blogged, but I have been extremely exhausted and have been almost incognito from everything. Usually a few days after chemo are the crummy days, and they were. Saturday my whole body was aching and I was in very much pain, so I took vicodin for the first time and man when that kicked in I took a four hour nap. Of course after I woke up feeling like a million bucks. I am feeling much better now, I have been starting to "exercise" slowly. It's no crazy workout, but a walk around my house then down and up my hill then a light swim in the pool is my new routine. It sounds pathetic, but is the most my body can handle right now. My mind says go run and play sports, but where my muscles were (and should be) won't allow a lot of activity. Lately the days have been kind of the same, but wonderful of course. Lots and lots of relaxing, eating, exercising, trying to spend as much time outside as possible and family visits. It's funny in my eyes thinking of the role change that happened since everything. When we found out the news and were on our way to the hospital for the first time, my mom looked at me and told me I have to stay strong through all of this. Now I have to stop her and look her in the eyes to tell her she has to stay strong through all of this. My parents love to remind me how proud they are of me and inspired by me too. But I always love to remind them that I am their daughter, and they raised and brought me up to be the person I am today.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

A day in Santa Barabara

Third or fourth time of chemo yesterday, all went well like usual and news will be coming back soon. My parents and baby sister drew blood, and all the nurses thought Emma was so brave so they gave her a new Barbie Doll! Was she ever so excited to not only be there and give blood, but to also receive a kind gift and love and adoration from everyone there. My parents got the gift of finding out that they possibly get to give more blood! Were they ecstatic or what. My grandparents came along with us too, and we all were rolling when my grandmother stuck a sticker on my grandpa's back. He walked around aimlessly for some odd time not knowing, until finally he came back in to the room bright red. A nice walk back to the hospital felt nice on my body as we went to eat lunch at the cafe. The weather in Santa Barbara was nice, and the walks were too. On our way home we stopped through Los Olivos and I fell in love. As soon as I can, I'm going back there to explore this cute town. So many thanks to the Perez family for making my family dinner last night. It was such a relief to come home later and have a huge delicious dinner cooked and ready to serve waiting for us. It made everything so much easier. Thank you very much.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Blessings

Chemo in the morning in Santa Barbara, and my little sister and grandparents are coming along with my parents and me. No marrow biopsy's tomorrow, just chemo and my family is getting their blood drawn to be tested for the Monosomy seven gene and to see if their bone marrow matches mine. Emma is excited to join my journey tomorrow and has been kind enough to allow the doctors to draw her blood to try and help me. Now not too many six year old sister's would do that, and she fully understands the circumstances of everything that goes along with this. As I write, I am sitting by the pool eating ice cream listening to my favorite music relaxing with a nice breeze and the warm sun on my back being with family. Now that is one pretty darn good way to spend summer days, it is unbelievable how great the timing was of the purchase of our new home considering everything. God really gave my family and me so many blessings, it is remarkable and hard to comprehend.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Winning mentality

What a day. The previous days have been about the same, wonderful of course but laid back and fun. More relaxing by the and in the pool and being with my Papa. Today I had blood work done in the morning, my platelet count is above one hundred which is great. Although, along with that comes an extremely weak immune system. Well awesome news back from the doctors, I am at one percent now instead of twenty five percent with the blasts! I was hoping to be at five, but one is even better!!! Today was my cousin Hailey's eighteenth birthday (Happy Birthday Hailey) and I got to go over and spend dinner with her and the family which was awesome. Props to my Uncle Jeff for the delicious dinner, first time I'm excited to eat left-overs! Nice quality family time talking and joking about my big buddha pregnant looking belly and chipmunk cheeks. Physically and emotionally I have been doing exceptional, besides being "medically- induced-chubby". There is no need for sorrow or worry. I take everything day by day and honestly don't have any worries at all. One huge way everyone can do to help me is be happy and stay strong in prayers and attitude. I will be blunt, I'm tough... I don't like when people feel sorry for me or for others. As I said before, No pain no "game". People who know me on and off the field or court or track know that I am competitive and have a winning mentality. An old man told me one time "If your gonna go, go hard. If your gonna miss, miss hard." I'm now apart of the "C-club" with him and just as we battle in the batting cage, we battle through this too.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Yet another exceptional day, more beautiful weather and time with the family. Great sermon at church to start the day off and nice bowl of ice cream to end a beautiful summer evening. My pastor paid a visit to my family and me this afternoon and so did my grandparents and mom's side of the family. We all sat by the pool and talked and said a nice prayer to finish everything off. Plus a nice swim in the pool with my sister can always make a day shine brighter and it did(=

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Busy busy days yesterday and today. I went to Santa Barbara yesterday for more chemo and marrow testing, all went semi-well. My sister did have to return home to North Dakota=(. Today was an exceptional day to have for recovery. I started my morning off with a delicious breakfast with my grandparents out in my backyard, my Papa and I got to hang out by the pool and watch our favorite movie together (Fantastic Mr. Fox). It was just like old times when I was younger and my Papa and I spent every moment together. To make everything better I got to swim finally today with my mom and Emma, and the weather was perfect the whole time. I even got a visit from my Aunt, Uncle and cousin too. We all sat outside just hanging out and playing card games, and as I thought it was time to hit the hay I got another surprise. An air-hockey table was set up for the family in my house, so of course I had to play a few games against the family. WOW what a day! Well I know I will sleep great tonight though. Church tomorrow and a dart-board possibly too(= Minor set-back in therapy right now, nothing I can't handle though. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, but I have a rare type of A.L.L and Monosomy 7 gene that is being studied right now. But I am worry free, I am in God's hands and in great care so I don't blink an eye or shed any tears. I would like to thank Vic's Cafe, again, for more hot wings and Paul and Valerie (whom I consider family) for the fun and competitive air- hockey table.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Up by the Sequoias at Camp Nelson at New Years

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GREAT day today! I got to spend all day outside with the family, and I even got to swim. Well it wasn't technically swimming, but I was lucky enough to wade up to my waist on a raft and kick my legs around. It feels awesome to be able to do more and more activities and I cannot wait to be able to start working out again(= The faster I recover, the faster I can get to swinging my bats, going back to the gym, playing volleyball and much much more. God blessed today with wonderful weather here in Atascadero, it was very nice to be outside around everything and everyone I love dearly. Now, as many people have to vent to others about their emotions and everything... I on the other hand now love to vent about all my food cravings. Boy I could and have rambled on and on for hours about every food I crave. My family gets to listen to that a lot now, and if you mention pretty much any food, I will crave it. I think I have an idea of how it feels to be pregnant, because my emotions change, my appetite grew even more, I'm getting "chipmunk cheeks" and my nurse said my medication will make me look about three months pregnant. There are many more symptoms too. Lucky me!!!(= Oh well, I have been blessed with so much so none of that matters to me at all.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hi everyone, well symptoms from my medications are starting to appear slowly. I am starting to swell and get, as my doctors like to call, "chipmunk cheeks". My family says I look cute more filled out (basically chunky) due to the medications. As for my appetite, it has been ludicrous. But when haven't I ever had a hearty appetite? Good news from blood labs on Monday, my platelet count is up to fifty! Although, that also means that my white blood count has dropped and I cannot risk getting sick anytime soon. Marrow on Friday, so I am praying to be in the five percentile range of cancer blasts. Last Friday I was at twenty five percent, and if (or should I say when) I make it to five percent I will be a rapid responder. That is something I definitely need and want. With lots of prayers and love I know I can accomplish this task. Besides feeling "chunky", I have been feeling great and it is getting easier to move around and do more activities.

Contentment really lies in finding a little happiness in whatever life throws your way.
-unknown



Sunday, July 25, 2010

Good evening everyone, another good day today. I got to go to church and listen to a wonderful sermon and then hang out by the pool with the family. Beautiful weather here in Atascadero with a nice coastal breeze, just what I need to help me feel great. God has blessed me with a great hope to help me relax and recover in, and we got it just in time. It has been awesome spending time with family and my two sisters and all of us just being together. Blood tests in the morning and fun with sisters for the rest of the day tomorrow.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." -- Benjamin Disraeli

Saturday, July 24, 2010

More good treatment

Sorry everybody for not posting for the past days. I have been pretty darn exhausted. Well I went back to Santa Barbara yesterday for more chemo and all that fun stuff. Good news came back from the doctors, my spine came back clear yet again. Whoo hoo(= Everything went well yesterday and I'm feeling great today. It's my sister's birthday and I get to be with my family and my new sister Jasmine. My sister's and I are loving our new haircuts, although they don't have to wake up with crazy hair in the morning like I do. I'm hoping I can go to church tomorrow, because I have really been wanting and needing to go. I miss the congregation and everything. One thing I also miss is being active. I can't wait for the okay from the doctors for me to be able to start doing little activities. Little by little I will and have my life be back to almost normality. Well the way it was before at least, because my life was never really too normal. But that's the way I like it because a normal life seems too boring for me.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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True Family

This blog is directly to thanking everyone for helping me out. I feel like all my blogs are like that, but I don't know how much I can show how grateful I am for everyone and everything. My grandparents have made my bedroom super cozy, and they have been with me through almost every moment after I was diagnosed. They have been a huge help. Whatever I need I know I can rely on them or any of my friends and family. My Aunt and Uncle have given me a beautiful round coffee table to put everything on when I would like to relax and my "Rockin" Uncle will bring me anything I want whenever I want it. I don't know of too many families who would go through all of this trouble to do everything for me. My sister has traveled from her new husband and home in North Dakota and had so many flights and delays just to come comfort me through all of this. Also, all of my family took time to come visit me while I was in the hospital and each one of them showered me with gifts... But the best gift was being able to see all of them and having the family I have. My friends have been very influential through all of this too. I haven't been able to talk to too many of them right now, but I want to thank them all for everything. Whether it's thinking of creative awareness ideas or just sending me texts and messages through the day, I know I can rely on each one of them. Now if I kept thanking each person or family for everything the list would be going on till the cows come home... But my last thanks go out to my parents. They have been by my side through all of this every second of the day. Their whole life has revolved around me for a long time, through all of my sports and honors classes and everything... It is always to make me happy, and everything has made me so happy. Now that I can't do much anymore, their lives revolve around me even more and I love them immensely and just want them to know how glad I am that God blessed me with two amazing parents(=
(Oh and yes if anyone was wondering my little sister and I did donate our hair to Locks for Love and that was my second time donating and the baby's first time)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Home sweet home

Well it's good to be home again(= I had the best welcome home gift ever!!! Cheri Eastwood and all of Vic's Cafe blessed me with sooo many hot wings. I want to thank them so so much! I have had many hot wings, but these are by far the best!!! . I have been craving these certain hot wings for the longest time. Not to mention at Vic's Cafe everyone is family and so welcoming. I have been going there ever since I was a little girl and they have become family to me. Thank you Vic's I love you all. Well no more long hair for me, my sisters' and I cut our hair above shoulder length today. Pictures should be posted soon of the three of us(= and I hope everyone likes them. It feels so nice having short hair and I can't wait to show everyone the pictures. It's a change... but it's a wonderful change. I just turned on my phone for the longest time and it has been going off non stop. I appreciate all the messages everyone has sent me. My softball team, Velocity, has been super supportive and have made me feel so happy. Each one of them have so much potential and great quality and I wish the best luck for them. I also would like to thank my lamb advisor and one of my best friend's/ sister Hannah for caring for my lamb. Due to my health, I can't show my lamb or take care of him and they have been kind enough to take care of him for me. It has been such a relief, although I need potential buyers to buy my lamb. It is too late to send out my buyers letters so if anyone would like to by my lambie that would help me out so much; )My support team has been growing bigger and bigger by the day and I want to thank you all for all of the support.

Monday, July 19, 2010

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Going Home

Good morning everyone=) So happy to see you are liking my blogs, trying to keep everyone posted as much as possible. I haven't had much pain at all, but some of my medicines can make me pretty darn emotional. I experienced that for the first time last night, I didn't care for it too much. But my Aryel and Ross have been helping me through everything so much and I honestly am so lucky I have them by my side. I can rely on them no matter what and they have been amazing best friends. Not to mention my parents and the nurses and everyone supporting me have helped me immensely, I had a fun time even though I was lying in a hospital bed. Everyone has made the best out of everything; I will not forget this experience not only because of scars, but meeting so many wonderful people and knowing how loved and thankful I am. This may be shocking, but I am a little sad that it is time to go home because everyone made it like a party here everyday no matter how much pain I had. One thing I love to remind everyone is that this experience isn't a "sob story". It happened for a reason, I feel it was to remind myself for everything I have and for me to remind everyone to rejoice on what you have. Also, at any time no matter what... God is always there for you, he loves you unconditionally even if you don't believe in him or you feel you're all alone with no one who cares for you. He will always be there for you in your pocket whenever you need him or even if you don't need him.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Hello everyone, yet another day of more resting with more visitors. By now my whole family has come to visit me and I have loved every moment of it. Last night I slept wonderful after all the medicine, but I guess it was quite the joke when it started making me a little "loopy". I rambled on about nonsense and at one point I tried to call my dog over to pet it, mind you my dog is in Paso Robles. While my faith grows even more, my appetite is gradually expanding but not like any ordinary appetite. I guess I have a "pregnant woman" sort of appetite. All today and yesterday I have craved Hot Wings and chocolate soft served ice cream and nothing else. Although I haven't been able to see my cousin Cooper, he has sent me some pretty awesome gifts. He was generous enough to give me one of his Chaotic cards and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle too! More great news for the day: my platelet count is increasing to 25 which is better than the 7 that I had when I was admitted into the hospital. As the days go by more people support me and I love meeting everyone new and seeing messages from all my friends. I wish I could talk to each one of you personally but for now it will have to be through these blogs. But, many of you who follow the Lord I encourage you to stay on his path and those of you who do not, I honestly encourage you to take time to study and learn his ways. I'm not trying to persuade you to become all of the sudden Christ followers, but his knowledge and teachings make sense. As I read my letters, there were many verses from the bible that really caught my eye. For example, Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful spirit can act as good medicine against sickness." In other words a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. There are no words to explain how much relevance this is to what I'm doing to get over my sickness. I could never do any of this without high spirits and the support of all of you. Again I want to thank each one of you for all you have done, it means so much to me.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

More relaxing and more medicine

First rough night last night... Extremely aching back and a headache with the feeling of nausea. I don't know how, but I made it through the night with the help of my two wonderful parents who stayed by my side through all of the pain. Today was the first day that I felt a lot of pain throughout the day and I tried to muscle through everything and have slowly been succeeding. I miss everyone so much already and I really miss being outside and being active. It's hard from going from practicing sports everyday to practicing getting up out of bed without hurting myself. My appetite is basically completely gone and the only thing that tastes remotely good is water and ice. But when I look down at my wrist and see this amazing bracelet and beautiful ring I get a big smile on my face and the pain feels like it is completely gone and I realize there is no way I'm going to give up. No pain no "game". If George Saint Pierre didn't have pain, he wouldn't be a great fighter and who he is now. Even though there is hardship through this experience, I have already gained so much and will gain more. If I named all the positives that have happened so far, the list would go on and on. I had more visitors today and more flowers which can put a smile on my face and even more great news from the doctor. It will be easy to fight sickness by myself while I'm going through all of this so I won't have to take more medicine than I already do.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The PERFECT Birthday

Thank you everyone for all of your comments. I love reading them all and I got so many cards from everyone and all I can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU ALL. My hospital room looks like a gift shop; I have over twenty balloons, many flowers and teddy bears and cards galore. I have spent the time to read all of your comments and cards and it has made me feel so loved and grateful. This has been a wonderful birthday: I got to see my family and boyfriend, many cards and gifts and great news from the doctors( = My spine is free of leukemia cells which means this should be a speedy recovery. Second day of chemotherapy and everything has been going smoothly. I got more gifts than I have ever wanted: a stunning second promise ring from my parents and a beautiful bracelet from my boyfriend with both of our names engraved in it and many many more gifts. All of the comments and everything you all have been doing for me has been the best gifts ever. To top everything off my grandparents bought me a Madonna Inn chocolate curled cake ( although I have lost my appetite so no cake for me) and I got to see both of my beautiful sisters. Aryel has been by my side for every second waiting on me on hand and foot, and she inspired me to begin the blogging. Although I did not get to hug my baby sister and be close to her, I got to see her outside my room and try to give her all of my love. This is not the way I thought I was going to spend my birthday, but I wouldn't want to change anything. I truelly enjoy reading all of your comments and all of these cards too. They help me stay so strong and make me feel better after all the medicine. Each time I look at the comments and cards, I stop and think about how greatful and loved I am. I don't know how many times I can keep saying how much I love everything and all of the support. I will keep updating everything and loading more pictures too. ;)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

 
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Eyeopening experience 07/15/2010

Hey everybody it's Noel and I really appreciate everything that all of you have been doing for me. All of you have been helping me stay so strong and I'm doing and feeling wonderful. Staying positive and lots of prayers will help my family and me through this. God works in mysterious ways and he has a plan for me and I have put my trust in him. When I first heard the news I was very scared and feared for my life; but now I have no fear and I'm staying strong and making the best out of everything. This experience so far has been very eye-opening and I actually have been enjoying it (besides the needles). This has made me realized how lucky I am for everything and how loved I am. I have an extremely supportive family and friends and so many people I don't even know that have sent me so much joy and love. Prior to this I was an average girl excelling in school and sports, I had a wonderful family, good group of friends, adorable boyfriend, big new house and the life that so many people would kill for. Although I don't think I realized how much God has blessed me with everything and this is a way that has just made me so thankful. This is just a curveball thrown that I will hit out of the park and enjoy the victory! This is not a battle... This is a fight that I will win not through sorrow and weeping but through many prayers and staying positive. Yes I know it is healthy to cry, and I have cried a little bit; but honestly some of the crying makes me start to grow fear. This is a life changing experience that has been effecting my body negativley, but has been effecting my mind set and my heart positively. I will keep everybody posted on everything, and again thank you so much I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful day. Tomorrow it will be my birthday( : and I will enjoy every bit of the day and I love reading all of your comments it makes me very happy. Thank you all and I love each one of you very much ;) Enjoy life and be thankful for everything and count your blessings. It will amaze you how much you have and it gives you a positive outlook on life.