Positive Impacts, #2

With John in August 2009

When John was diagnosed with Lymphoma, his family looked into the option of a bone marrow transplant. While his family went through the testing process to see if any of them were matches, a number us on the sidelines submitted our information to the Be A Match bone marrow registry out of support and encouragement. Naturally, I hoped that somehow I would turn up as a perfect match for John. I knew the likelihood of that actually happening but what a physical way to show your love and support by giving your best friend bone marrow! Then we really would be connected in a way beyond friendship. Even though the reality of one of us matching John was slim, we saw the importance of a patient being able to find a match. Bone marrow donation saves lives – it is often a last resort treatment and provides hope and health for many people who will die from cancer. The opportunity to maybe possibly help someone survive this terrible illness by simply signing up is one of which we should all take advantage.

When one signs up to donate bone marrow, the process could not be more simple. Often times, friends and family of lymphoma or leukemia patients will hold a drive to advocate the bone marrow registry, make people aware of the process and allow them to sign up. Or, you can go to www.marrow.org and click “Join the Registry.” They will ask you some questions regarding health and personal information and then allow you to order a registration kit. By order I do not mean pay – everything with the process from signing up to the pain pills after the surgery is free of charge to a donor. The registration kit is simply a pair of large q-tips that they ask you to swipe inside your cheek. The cheek cells collected on the q-tip is enough for the registry team and system to establish your tissue type. You simply mail the completed kit (no postage payment either!) back to Be the Match and they take it from there. Your information is inputted into the registry of over 20 million donors, world-wide. Doctors can then do a massive search of all donors to find the best matches for their patients.

In April 2012, I was contacted by Jamie who would soon become my advocate and coordinator for the donation process. She introduced herself, stated that I had previously signed up to donate bone marrow through Be the Match, and have been initially matched to a patient with leukemia – would I still be interested in donating? After a brief attack of many different emotions, I said yes. What have I gotten myself into? What are the risks to myself in going through this process? Why couldn’t this call have happened three years ago saying I matched John?

Jamie informed me that they would need further information to see if we are more than just initial matches but that it could take weeks or months to know for sure. Like I’ve said, the chances of actually being able to match and donate are similar to those of winning the lottery. The cheek collection gives enough info to do an initial connection but blood tests, health records, etc confirm whether a patient and a donor are compatible or not. I went that week to have about 7 tubes of blood drawn that were then sent for testing and examination. I filled out an online questionnaire asking a number of questions about my personal health, family health records, lifestyle, etc. Lots of information and blood tested, yes, but it is all done with the intention of making the best and most accurate match. The entire process is aimed at both the health and safety of the patient and the donor – they wanted to ensure that I could not only be compatible with my patient but that the surgery and donation would not put me at any risks. FYI, a potential donor should be aware of the possibility that unknown disorders, diseases, or other health problems might be detected in the research process. It is the responsibility of your coordinator (Jamie in my case) to inform you if anything comes up irregular. I was a bit frightened that some unknown blood disorder or other disease would come up in my blood work – I am paranoid like that. But, fortunately, nothing irregular came up.

In fact, I never heard back from Jamie concerning the donation until August. She was calling to say that I was one of two matches for my patient. I was second choice meaning that if the first donor did not work out, I would be contacted. Am I still interested? Yes, very much so I replied. Another six weeks passed before hearing from Jamie. This was THE call saying that I am THE match, am I interested, and get ready because it moves fast from here on out!

Again, I was excited, nervous, overwhelmed, anxious, and grateful that I was healthy enough to be able to do this for someone in need. I was, and still am, in awe of the blessing of good health that I have. My health is something that not everyone experiences – and I was able to share a small bit of my blessing with a complete stranger. Y’all, that is cool! I hope that more people take advantage of that opportunity! It is a complete miracle and wonder that someone’s tissue and blood can match so exactly to another’s allowing the patient’s bone marrow to be replaced and replenished.

My next post will be about my experience from that call telling me I am THE match until now, one week after the donation. Already wanting to sign up? See www.marrow.org and get the collection kit sent to you! Literally, you just swab the inside of your cheek and send the kit back to the organization. So simple and, yet, potentially so monumental for someone in need!

Positive Impacts

Just over three years ago, my best friend, John, was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was very aggressive and had him home with Jesus in less than 5 months. For those of you who have followed my blog in the past, you know the impact his death had on my life. It was the most impactful experience I have had and continues to affect my outlook on life, decisions, ability to love and my faith.

My world was completely jolted from the moment that the “C” word became a reality. It is never easy to see someone you love be sick, treated, and then die from cancer. It is even more difficult and transforming when they are young, fit, good, and your best friend. For many of my contemporaries who loved John, he was the first of our age group to die. That will forever impact us. The experience, however, of loving John throughout the diagnosis, treatment, and loss has had a number of positive impacts on my life. It took me a while to be comfortable with the acknowledgment that good could come from such sorrow but I am here to say that it’s true. God uses events in life to shape and transform us. It is best to LET this process happen as it causes much less confusion and pain when you let Him use life to better yourself.

One of these positive impacts came full circle last week. On Tuesday, October 23^rd, I was able to donate over a liter (yes, that’s a lot!) of my bone marrow to a woman with leukemia. This would never have happened had John not been sick and the possibility of a bone marrow donation discussed. I have now, mostly, recovered and continue on with my healthy life. The hope and prayer is that my patient can say the same because of this small gift. John never got the chance to see if someone else’s bone marrow could save his life. However, I know that, had that been an option, I would have been forever grateful and in awe of his donor. So, I was able to give that gift to another.

I will use this blog, in a few different posts, to tell of my experience as a bone marrow donor. It is so important that the registry of names and tissue type expand so that those in need can find a donor. There are over 20 million people in the international registry database for bone marrow donation and, yet, millions more are needed. The chances of being matched and donating are similar to winning the lottery – you can see that the odds of a patient finding a match are very slim. The more names in the registry, the more chances of a second chance at life. Many patients are on treatment plans, just waiting for a match to sign up. Often, they undergo intense chemotherapy and/or radiation while waiting for a donor to match up to them. The thing about it is that, for the donor, it is a very simple process and at zero cost. We give some time and let them take bone marrow and can, ideally, save a life. What a gift to us as donors! I am still grasping the fact that what to me is so minimal and easy has great potential to change lives. Wow.

I invite you to follow my blog in the coming days to see, firsthand, the process, investment, experience, and emotions involved with donating. When I was preparing for my surgery, I eagerly read blogs to have that firsthand information and guidance. I needed more, though. Whether you are deciding to go through with a donation, or might possibly be interested in signing up as a donor, please welcome yourself to my story! It is my hope and prayer that, through my donor journey, many more will feel lead to sign up for the registry.

I look forward to scribing this experience in the near future. I value your comments and your prayers for my receiving patient. I pray that you will be touched by my story.

xoxo,

ac.

p.s. If you're already interested, visit www.marrow.org!

moments.

It's that moment when you're driving down a dirt road and look up to a massive stretch of mountains before your eyes...That moment when you first step outside in the morning to fresh, crisp air. It's the fragrances of greasewood, dirt and cedar that are consistently intoxicating....the lush green landscape and joyful hearts, after even the lightest rain, because of months of drought and prayer. It's the people who come together, rain or shine, to support and love those in the community...The ability to pull together a wedding or funeral with little notice and limited resources. It's the inability to not see the mighty hand of a generous and gracious God.

These are the reasons I love Marfa and the nearby communities. These are the reasons that the West Texas landscape, people and way of life have tugged on my heart for nearly 24 years.

Well, the waiting is over. I am finally able to give into the magnetic pull that Marfa has had on my mind, body and heart. In 3 weeks, I get to truly call Marfa home. Watch out world - good good things are happening.

xoxo, ac.

BACK IN THE GAME!

It seems that it has become part of my blogging style to consistently take prolonged hiatus' from posting about my life, experiences, newfound "knowledge", projects, etc. I have a good run and then a good run off of the blogging world. I am back for a while! Can't say how long this will last but it's looking good for a while :)

Let me set the scene of my weekend: cold rainy weather, green chilies just begging to be used, dirty house begin to be cleaned, old country tunes serenading me, and a collection of random "honey-do's" to become "honey-did's." After a successful run to the local farmer's market, two girlfriends met me at my storage unit where 90% of my belongings are safely tucked away until I, finally, get a place of my own. It has been on my mind for weeks that I will soon be needing my winter clothes and had no way to get to them as they were packed in the BACK of the unit. So, we took out some furniture, dug around, and (hopefully) got me what I need. Unfortunately, I do not think my beloved boots got picked out the mess :( bummer. After a successful start to a wide open Saturday, I came home to my eager and welcoming pup to make some random soup using my green chili. I also made these "power cookies" using ripe bananas, applesauce, oats, pecans, chocolate chips, and chia seeds:




They are gluten free (unless oats are considered gluten...), low in sugar as the only sugar is from the organic applesauce, have the protein from peanut butter, and all the goodness that chia seeds bring to the table. If you have some bananas, let the get really ripe and try these out. Very yummy, freeze well, and so easy to grab-and-go for mornings when you are running late. I drive a LOT for work so it's always nice to have something nutritious and low in carbs, calories and fat to snack on.

After a long week with many emotions storming through my system, I am getting to catch up on the many things I have wanted and needed to get done for a while. The next few weeks are pretty packed and end up with a really wonderful change in my life - I will report back on all this in the near future. For now, I am going to continue on with my honey-do list while I still have the desire and have not yet been called by the couch and a movie...

xoxo,
ac.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

Hello long weekend! Who doesn't love having a PAID DAY OFF FROM WORK? Having a day when most businesses (unless you work in the hospitality industry...) shut down and actually ENCOURAGE their employees to stay away from the addictive emails, work conversations, and offices to enjoy some R&R with their families and friends. My boss didn't have to ask me twice to NOT work on a holiday weekend. Not only do we have an extra day tacked on to the weekend, but the following week will only be four days. FOUR DAYS?! Yes, that extra day on the weekend and one less day on the work week really does make a solid, positive difference in the employee's demeanor.

What are you doing on this LONG weekend? Perhaps you are going to the lake or catching up on projects around the house or camping. I had plans, great plans, to go to Marfa with two of my best friends. We call ourselves the Tres Amigas...I know, not too original. But, we get a kick out of it! Anyways, we had been talking up this weekend since at least Easter making plans to have no plans at all but to drink good wine and Chiltons, eat fantastic food (mostly chips and dips as those are our preferred meal plans when together), and see where the wind takes us. I have a terrible tendency to really create an event or experience in my head - my planning gets a little carried away and I just get so excited and ready for such a weekend with my girls. Well, as luck or chance or just plain reality has it, the weekend in Marfa together will not be happening. It has been a huge hit to my spirit as, see above, I had really gotten it all worked out in my mind. But, the reasons for it not working are legitimate, though disappointing, and I am now getting to enjoy the weekend by having domino date night tonight and then heading to Dallas to be with the fam. RJ will be accompanying me, naturally, to Big D where she will finally meet my brother, sister and the other Cobb pups. I am interested to see how the older, wiser Cobb pups will take to this new, frisky, and ready-to-play addition to the group.

The weekend will be great as it has already started out both pleasantly and productive. Following a week where my emotions were wacko and my irritation level was high, this final lap (Friday) has been delightful. After completing the work I needed to do and tending to my customers, I got a productive and homemaker kick to my side. Here are two projects I have accomplished today:

1) Homemade Pizza Crust: Thanks to my blogging/cooking mentor and wanna-be friend, the Pioneer Woman, I have in my possession the BEST pizza crust recipe. I have little to compare this to as I have never tried another one from scratch. But, here's the thing: why mess up perfection? I know I love this combo of flour, OLIVE OIL, sea salt, and yeast/water so why would I try something else? When I make pizza for myself or my friends, I love using pesto rather than pizza sauce and all the freshly chopped veggies I can find. Or, pesto and spinach with tomato slices and chicken will also knock your panties off. Tonight, however, I am enjoying this crust with Travis and his sister and brother-in-law. Travis likes MEAT on his pizza and we have experimented with a few methods of pizza-building. We will be doing our perfected calzone stuffed with hamburger meat, vegetables, homemade and SPICY sauce, and a few other tricks. This crust has been rising for about 3 hours. It's not necessary to let it rise but, why not if you have the time! It barely filled 1/4 of the bowl when I put it in there and now look at the monstrosity! We like to spice the crust so that's why the color is a little off...MMM!


2) Homemade, Chemical-Free Lotion: Another thanks to a blogging mentor, the Wellness Mama, I have this concoction for a non-chemically induced lotion that is easy and adaptable. If you aren't familiar with her posts, please check her out. She has great tips and advice on a healthy, clean lifestyle - and, she has a husband and kiddos so it proves that even families can live this way. Anyhoo, I tried the lotion recipe on Saturday for the first time and was very impressed! I just made a fresh batch and let me just say - the second time is MUCH easier. Though it's not difficult or tricky, it's much better the second time. I used too much beeswax last time so the lotion was much thicker than I prefer. This time, I was prepared and used the same amount of beeswax but doubled the other ingredients (water, vitamin e, essential oil for scenting, and almond oil). I am excited to use it all over my body! This lotion is so much more effective and hydrating than the store-bought brands. I HIGHLY recommend trying it out. I love the whipped feel and look of this stuff! The ingredients are not too expensive, last more than one batch, and can be found at any health food store. Go try it out!

I hope you all enjoy your LONG weekend thoroughly and take a minute to remember those who have served our country. So many of our men and women are still over seas, and here in the States, sacrificing their time and lives to protect us. Let's not forget that this holiday, Memorial Day, is meant to reflect on the freedom that we experience because of the lives that have been given.

Summer Eatin'

Look at this picture of our supper last night. Isn't it just beautiful! So many fresh colors, well-balanced and using seasonal ingredients. Travis picked up a bag of these Swai fillets at walmart a few weeks ago. Neither of us had ward about them before we busted them out. Turns out, Swai has recently become popular due to its affordability and similarity to tilapia. I prefer it over tilapia as it's more substantial than a single filet, has a slightly more noticeable flavor and looks prettier on a plate. Tilapia is easy and inexpensive, yes. But Swai is also easy and inexpensive only new, different and delicious.

I had bought a packet of seafood seasoning at the local farmer's market this weekend. We mixed that with flour, coated the fish, and pan-fried it in oil. We made trav's famous jasmine rice (with jalapeños for the extra kick we both love), roasted fresh asparagus, lightly fried zucchini (just for kicks and giggles), and fresh tomato slices. All in all, I think we did pretty good! Even with the pan fry, we used a lighter oil over lard or crisco. All the ingredients were fresh, free of MSG or chemicals, and in season. The flavor was great and the presentation was impressive, if I do say so myself :)

las madres.

Today, Mother's Day, is the one day every year that our country honors the women who raise us. They gave us life, changed countless dirty diapers, dried thousands of tears, and encouraged us as we experienced the journey of life. It is the mothers who often support their children even in the midst of great adversity. Some mothers even raise their families on their own - no financial, emotional, or physical help from others.

Even those who did not physically birth a child but support, love on, and pray for their "adopted" kids. I can think of many women who have supported me and given a listening ear, great advice, and a shoulder to cry on throughout my 23 years: Karen Nyland, Sally Bishop, my aunts, Rhonda Lacy, Emmy Jenkins, the teachers I have had, Gabi, Kay Giesecke, Julie Dearien, Debby Armerding. All of these women, at different points in my life, have encouraged and loved me without judgement or question. I know for a fact that they have prayed for my wellbeing, decisions, and relationship with God. How wonderful it is to know that there are so many women, strong and faithful, that pray for me and think about me and encourage me on a regular basis. I am truly one lucky girl.

After church, my Sunday school group always goes out to lunch. Today was a little different as many in the group have mothers and grandmothers living nearby. So, today was family time for them. Well, my mom does not live close to me and my grandmother who does was out of town. So, I gathered up the others who were motherless (so to speak...) and we did our own thing. At lunch, as I was looking around the restaurant at all the moms, how special Mother's Day and Father's Day are. There are so many different kinds of mothers and they all have their own, unique methods of raising their families. Some methods are better than others but all these women try to do they best they can with what they have to offer (we hope...). How wonderful that we take one day out of the year to celebrate and return the love and honor to the women in our lives. How wonderful that we take one day to collectively praise the work our mothers have done. On this day, strangers tell each other "happy mother's day" and acknowledge the time, effort, and sacrifice that goes into such a role. How great is that.

xoxo,
ac.