My fight to be here has been long and difficult.
Yet i look forward to each new day.
My first leukemia diagnosis came in 2002. Acute Myelogenis Leukemia came into my life not once but three times. My first bone marrow transplant failed but thanks to my brother Tommy the second bone marrow transplant was successful. Since 2002 my body has undergone what I previously would have thought is impossible: total body irradiation, hours and days of chemotherapy, a hip replacement, two knee replacements, a shoulder replacement, two elbow operations, cataracts removed in both eyes, close to 200 skin cancer biopsies, stage 4 graph vs. host disease of the skin, ovary removal, gall bladder removal, sepsis, brain surgery, neuropathy, necrosis, pneumonia, four surgical port insertions, ear surgery, colonoscopies, endoscopies, eight spinal taps, ten bone marrow biopsies and most recently chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate throat and tongue cancer. I’ve taken my punches and I am still standing thanks to a little help from my friends. God is good. I am so very blessed. I am still doing life. I have more good days than bad. I love all those who have helped my family. “To love another person is to see the face of God." I have seen God in everyone.
2017 CANCER RECURRENCE, TREATMENT, AND HEALING.
I am blessed to have so many friends and family praying for me. My most recent fight was with throat and tongue cancer that occurred from having treatment for Leukemia 3 times over the past 15 years. I left the Dr. this afternoon with a clean bill of health!!! Feeding tube removed!!! My orders are to gain weight and live life. I intend to do both. It's been a full time job these last 15 years to regain my health. For the time being, success. My thanks to God and to each of you. XOXO
As I looked around the room, I felt sorry for each person, for the patient as well as the care givers. Their lives had all changed without notice. How could there be so many Leukemia patients? It was confusing. I did not feel like I fit into this group. There had been a mistake, I was sure. But that was not the case. This was my new crowd. This was where I now belonged. No parent school meeting or neighborhood picnics for me I was now a “patient” I have “cancer”. We are a group all to our own. From this day forward I was to be looked at and spoken to differently by those who know my history. This new group of which I was now a member, I was soon to find would be further broken down into those who would survive the disease and those who would not.
Karen continues to give back through anthems for life
This inspiring set of eight unique cards of encouragement was created by Karen Coyne Volpe. During her courageous 17-year battle with cancer, Karen found strength in these uplifting words and penned “Anthems for Life” to share hope with others going through any difficult season in life.
Each set contains eight different 4×6 glossy cards with an adhesive backing and eight envelopes. You can request a set of Karen's Anthems for Life cards with your gift of $25 or more to Fair Haven. |