Welcome to my cancer blog

Hello and welcome to my blog or in Japanese "Konnichiwa" and "Yokoso" to my blog. Thank you for coming and checking out my blog and checking out my "Gan Shourisha" Cancer Survivor and "Gan Shourisha wa watashi no tomo" which can be read Cancer survivors are my friends or My friend is a survivor of a cancer depending on if you read from top to bottom or vice-versa.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-hodgkins Lymphoma in Japan on April 6th, 2001. I then returned to Oklahoma one week later and less than 3 weeks after I arrival I began chemotherapy treatments. I went into clinical remission after six months of chemotherapy but in order to keep my cancer from coming back I had a stem cell transplant. My brother Doug matched as a donor which was amazing considering there was only a 25% chance that he would match. I wish I could say everything was smooth sailing after that but it wasn't. I went through a rejection phase which affected my heart,skin, and my muscles to atrophy. When I was 32 years old I couldn't even get up from the ground because I had no leg strength. I have spent nearly 4 years in physical therapy to build muscle back up, to gain flexibility, and to learn how to get up from the floor.

On November 19th,2008 I will celebrate my 7th anniversary of my stem cell transplant. I am so thankful for the healing that has taken place in my life. I thank God for those who supported me during difficult times.