Jasmines Journey
Donation protected
Congratulations to everyone that made it out of 2020! I know last year was not a normal year for anyone including myself. Trying to recover from a failed transplant and prepare for another during a pandemic has been quite the task. I wanted to update those that wished me well going into my last transplant, those who took time to donate money and or time, as well as those who just care.
Transplant number one did not take. No surprise to those who know me that my body was as stubborn as ever and did not allow my mom’s cells to engraft in my bone marrow. Even though the transplant didn’t work I still have had a hard time getting as close as possible back to 100% due to the chemo and other medications I had to take along the way. My doctors have been ready for me to go through another transplant since they realized the first one didn’t work. I however, for obvious reasons was hesitant to do another transplant. The process itself is no fun: pain, vomiting, mouth sores, fatigue, depression, anxiety, poor appetite, and more. The worst part was going through all of that and being told it didn’t work. Felt like I went through hell for nothing. To be told that I’ll have to do it again just to have a chance at being cured. It’s been extremely hard trying to muster up the courage to go through another transplant knowing for a fact it might not work. Sure the doctors told me before my last transplant that it might not work but I didn’t think that would be my story. I thought if I pushed through this difficult task it would all be worth it because I would finally be cancer free after 10 years, and be able to live my life on my terms. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, so part of preparing for another transplant has been to face the truths that it may not work but not allowing that to discourage me from still going through with it and giving it my all again. Initially, I had some time to get my body and mind right because they didn’t have a match for me anyway.
The transplant was a last ditch effort since I’ve been on all the medications that are out there currently for CML. Since the transplant was a failure, they didn’t have a match, and I wasn’t sure about going through another transplant the doctors had to figure out how to treat me in the meantime. So for a better part of the last year I’ve been doing rounds of chemo every month to keep my cancer under control. While this chemo I’ve been receiving isn’t as strong as the chemo used during my transplant I still have had a hard time with the side effects. I thought in time I’d get closer to 100% but it feels like I’ve actually gone the other way. I’ve lost weight, I regularly need blood transfusions, and I have times when I’m just in pain and vomiting. A couple months ago my doctors told me they found a match but I still just wanted to wait a little bit more because mentally I felt depressed and I know how much of my recovery will be decided on how mentally tough I can be. So I’ve been seeing doctors to help me get to a better place mentally for the last few months and I think I’m ready to give it another shot. “One more time for a lifetime.”
With that being said I can use everyone’s help again. I realize I can’t do this alone. I’m ready for this almost 11 year old journey to be over. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like myself. Beating cancer once and for all is all I want more than anything else in life and I’m hoping some of you are willing AGAIN to help me try to accomplish that goal! My transplant will be next month so any and everything will help. Thank you for reading!
Bethematch.com is a great sight the easily allows people to register themselves into the donor bank. Being an African American lowers my chances of finding a perfect match. I think it’s important for every of all ethnicities to be aware of the registry, know how easy it is to register, and know about the process so they can possibly saves someone’s life at little to no cost. It is free to register so why not? I hope everyone joins my cause and my personal journey.
Transplant number one did not take. No surprise to those who know me that my body was as stubborn as ever and did not allow my mom’s cells to engraft in my bone marrow. Even though the transplant didn’t work I still have had a hard time getting as close as possible back to 100% due to the chemo and other medications I had to take along the way. My doctors have been ready for me to go through another transplant since they realized the first one didn’t work. I however, for obvious reasons was hesitant to do another transplant. The process itself is no fun: pain, vomiting, mouth sores, fatigue, depression, anxiety, poor appetite, and more. The worst part was going through all of that and being told it didn’t work. Felt like I went through hell for nothing. To be told that I’ll have to do it again just to have a chance at being cured. It’s been extremely hard trying to muster up the courage to go through another transplant knowing for a fact it might not work. Sure the doctors told me before my last transplant that it might not work but I didn’t think that would be my story. I thought if I pushed through this difficult task it would all be worth it because I would finally be cancer free after 10 years, and be able to live my life on my terms. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, so part of preparing for another transplant has been to face the truths that it may not work but not allowing that to discourage me from still going through with it and giving it my all again. Initially, I had some time to get my body and mind right because they didn’t have a match for me anyway.
The transplant was a last ditch effort since I’ve been on all the medications that are out there currently for CML. Since the transplant was a failure, they didn’t have a match, and I wasn’t sure about going through another transplant the doctors had to figure out how to treat me in the meantime. So for a better part of the last year I’ve been doing rounds of chemo every month to keep my cancer under control. While this chemo I’ve been receiving isn’t as strong as the chemo used during my transplant I still have had a hard time with the side effects. I thought in time I’d get closer to 100% but it feels like I’ve actually gone the other way. I’ve lost weight, I regularly need blood transfusions, and I have times when I’m just in pain and vomiting. A couple months ago my doctors told me they found a match but I still just wanted to wait a little bit more because mentally I felt depressed and I know how much of my recovery will be decided on how mentally tough I can be. So I’ve been seeing doctors to help me get to a better place mentally for the last few months and I think I’m ready to give it another shot. “One more time for a lifetime.”
With that being said I can use everyone’s help again. I realize I can’t do this alone. I’m ready for this almost 11 year old journey to be over. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like myself. Beating cancer once and for all is all I want more than anything else in life and I’m hoping some of you are willing AGAIN to help me try to accomplish that goal! My transplant will be next month so any and everything will help. Thank you for reading!
Bethematch.com is a great sight the easily allows people to register themselves into the donor bank. Being an African American lowers my chances of finding a perfect match. I think it’s important for every of all ethnicities to be aware of the registry, know how easy it is to register, and know about the process so they can possibly saves someone’s life at little to no cost. It is free to register so why not? I hope everyone joins my cause and my personal journey.
Organizer
Jasmine Johnson
Organizer
Tampa, FL