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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Plan

Two days ago, I met with Dr. Farol, Bone Marrow Transplant doctor at City of Hope. He did give me some good news. I have a donor and it's a perfect match! During this meeting, I was told that I will start Chemotherapy the Monday before the actual transplant. Originally, it was scheduled for the 18th of April. However, my husband, Raul, got a call today from the BMT team to find out that the donor is not available until May. I will wait. God's timing is always perfect. I thank God for this anonymous donor, God bless him. According to the doctors, he is my only match. Science is amazing but what is more amazing is how God works in our lives. Truly, He will never leave us nor forsake us. I love you, Lord!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

THERE IS HOPE! I was 13 weeks pregnant when I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia + PNH. The doctors gave me the option to terminate the pregnancy but my husband and I decided to go on with it. Platelet and blood transfusions were done as needed. Soliris was also started due to the presence of blood in my urine. My signs and symptoms were fatigue, dizziness, petechiae, bleeding of gums and blood in urine. It was a tough pregnancy. I found myself in the hospital twice a week. The doctors said the baby would most likely come out early... but she didn't. She is a full-term baby! We were all surprised. I gave birth via C-section to a very healthy baby on February 2nd, 2011. Her name is Danica Joy Palma. She is now almost two months old and doing very well. I wish I could say the same about me. It has been two months and I am still having post partum hemorrhage. My blood count is getting worse. I am in and out of the hospital for transfusions and observation. Next Monday, I will meet with the Bone Marrow Transplant Doctor at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. I will keep you guys updated... For now, I just PRAY and PRAY and PRAY!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Say my name, say my name

When I was younger, I hated my name because my friends always made fun of it and most people don't pronounce it correctly. I was always asked where my parents got my name from. To those who still do not know, my father named me after a camera... but not just any camera, an expensive one. That sure makes me feel special. I'm glad he didn't name me Kodak or Fuji or Mamiya. For thirteen years, I really hated my name. My classmates would always sing "Like a virgin" to me. My teachers would mispronounce my name for the first 2 weeks of class. It was so annoying!!! There was even a time when I would lie to people and tell them that my name is Michelle. It took a long time for me to like my name. As I got older, a lot more people said I have a "unique" name versus I have a "weird" name. They would substitute the word "like" with "leic." And just leic that, now I love my name.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

two years later...

I totally forgot I have this blog. Wow! A lot has changed since 2009. I promise to update my page... tomorrow =P