Happy Spring!

I am happy to report that things are going well! Since I had the fluid drained from around my lung things just continue to get better. I have less pain and more energy. I can get around the Curves circuit twice now; on Saturday I walked for 50 minutes with Mom; I have done a little yoga with Dad when he is cross-training for the marathon; and Turbo and I go for short walks most mornings. I also take some long naps. I really feel like I'm getting better.

I'm also excited to say that I visited Amy, Elise and Will in St. Louis with my parents this month. I'm working on an application for a social work license in Missouri. I'm not up to working yet, but I want to be ready for when I am. I took a four week Spanish class this month and I'm going to take another in April. I'm feeling more like myself than I have for a long time and it feels good.

Medically I just started on medication to help strengthen my bones. I continue to taper down on my immune suppressants. And, I am beginning to take some oral magnesium so that I can be ready to get off my daily IV fluids. Things are moving forward.

And, happily, spring is here. The sun is beaming between rainy days. Temperatures are warming and frogs are croaking. Kishka and Turbo are begging to go outside and we are eagerly hoping for purple martins to arrive, settle and eat mosquitoes. I wore sandals today!!

On a more serious note, one of my friends who has gone through a similar course of treatment to my own was recently rediagnosed with cancer. I am happy to report that he got in on a treatment trial for a new targeted therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma. He reports that the treatment is quite tolerable and that he has high hopes for the treatment. He is a remarkable man with an amazing attitude and lots of strength and resiliance. I am reminded of what a horrible disease cancer is and of the importance of fighting it. On that note, if you are feeling like supporting the cause, my cousins now have their team in training website up:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=825298&LangPref=en-CA . Way to go John & Liana!!

I wish everyone a joyful spring and health and healing!!

Jill