Hi Everyone,
I realized the other day when I went to check email that I didn't need reading glasses to read the screen. It was a delayed reaction, I am happy to report. This morning I figured now that I can see normal I should update you all. I feeling o.k. I got my christmas shopping done via my sister who was kind enough to go to the mall for me when she prefers to shop anywhere but the malls. The gifts are all wrapped, I did do that part. I am taking it easy. Hopefully next week I won't feel a little drained with small activity. I go back to barnes on tues. to get this central line removed--YEAH. I still have some of my hair, maybe it won't all fall out. I can just use tubans and not need a wig. I hear wigs can be very hot. I want to wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope it is a great time with your family and friends. Thank you all for all your prayers! I do believe this is why I am progressing as well as I am.
Lots of love,
Maria

Rest and recovery

It's Carolyn. I just returned from visiting Maria at her mom's house. She is doing pretty well. I had Olivia with me and it was nice to see mom and daughter snuggling and holding hands again. She is still dealing with major vision problems. She saw Dr. Vig yesterday and he suggested an opthamalogist to check her eyes because it might not be chemo related. Otherwise her symptoms are at a minimum. Her hair is coming out pretty quickly now and she had a beautiful headwrap on and said she ordered a couple more since she will be like this for a while. Next week she gets her catheter out of her vein that has been in a month. She will then be able to shower fully and not have to worry about getting anything too wet and I know she is looking forward to that. She and I were looking at pictures that were in her camera from events of this year and she came across a set of photos and said, "look, these are pictures from right before the MRI." And ya know, life is just like that set of photos that we group together. Before I was married...before i had kids....after I turned 40...after my dad died. We tend to associate events in the before or after such and such. Well, we were in the "after she was diagnosed" stage and now we have moved on to the "after she got her stem cell transplant" stage. There is no telling what set of photos in our minds will depict this time in Maria's journey. I can tell you that the photo I will have snapped in my memory from tonight is her sitting at home on the couch and her sweet girl laying next to her so very happy to have her mom home for Christmas! So many people have done so many kindnesses but today the one that stuck out for me was that Maria received a Christmas bonus from her former boss at Ann's Bra Shop. It was surprising because Maria had to quit there over 5 months ago due to her illness, chemo and the risk of infection. It certainly was not expected but definately comes at the perfect time! I also loved seeing her reading the cards from my daughter's second grade class. Her smiles and laughs out loud were so good to hear and all the little details and hard work of these little hands were a very special gift for her tonight! She just keeps saying that it must be the prayers working because things have not been as bad as we were warned they would be. She just wanted to be home for Christmas and her wish was granted. That is all from me for a while as I am escaping to Florida on Christmas morning with my husband and kids. Wishing all those in Maria's life and all who read this a very blessed Christmas season!

She is home!

Late this afternoon, Maria was released from the hospital, a week earlier than expected. Her blood counts had hit bottom and are rebounding nicely. While her white count is high enough to leave the hosptial, she is still at high risk for infection. She will be staying at her mother's house to minimize the noise, germs etc. And Gina is there around the clock if she needs anything. One huge prayer was answered and that was having her home for Christmas. She is weak and is losing her hair and battles constant nausea. Her symptoms were very mild compared to what they discussed with us. Our prayer now is that her immune system rebounds quickly and that this stem cell transplant is successful which will put her into remission. She be retested 100 days post transplant which will be in March to determine if it worked. Jeff would like me to send out a shout of gratitude to the unbelieveable and overwhelming support from the St. Monica community. People were so generous in shuttling and taking care of the kids and all the meals, cards, giftcards and prayers were amazing. They would also like to thank those in the Assumption community and Holy Spirit Parish for the prayer chains and love and support. They are amazed by the caring and generosity of strangers throughout this process. It is still a long road ahead but the burden is made so much lighter with the love that lifts them up through this difficult time. That is all for now.

Hi Everyone,
Here's a laugh for you: I need to use the reading glasses to see the keyboard or even to read the screen. This is definitaley not do to my age.
I've already corrected my spelling a few times. :) I am still doing o.k. I think the nasty stuff is done. The doctor just stopped by, today my platelets have started going up. This is good, but I may still end up with a fever. By the end of the week he may be able to say when I can go home. I will be glad to go. It is hard to sleep here even with a sleeping pill. When you're not in your own element it makes you restless. I do feel a little more energetic today than I did yesterday. Maybe I will take a few more laps aroung the floor. Those prayers are being heard!, otherwise I wouldn't be doing as well as I have. Talk to you all soon
Maria

Hi everyone,
I am starting to feel the effects of being in the hospital, I can't sleep. I may have to add more drugs to my system: a sleeping pill :) So far, still good. The nausea is under contol. It's a little difficult to keep my hunger pains in check because nothing sounds appealing. The staff here are great. Whatever I need they accomodate me. Jackie came down to visit today with Dan, Mom and my girls. This was great. I'm glad this are progressing as they are. It's all the prayers being said!
See you soon,
Maria

Friday, December 9th

This is Carolyn, I am a day late in posting this. I took my dad and Gina to visit Maria yesterday. Her friend Rosanne was also there in the morning and I know it helps pass the time for Maria to get some human contact from her family and friends during this time. All visitors do need to wear a mask when visiting with her and anyone with any kind of cold or cough should really avoid going up there at all and just visit with her by phone. Maria continues to look good and be in good spirits. I still think it is easy to believe that she really isn't dealing with this at all because she has remained so strong and seems to be her same old self. The nurse said the worst is still yet to come and most likely will be in the middle of next week. I am such a believer in the power of prayer and will continue to ask everyone to pray that we remain on the mild end of the spectrum as far as symptoms are concerned. As far as her blood counts go, they are still dropping as expected. The chemo is doing it's job to drop them to rock bottom to kill all of the bad cells which in turn will also kill the good cells too. They have a calendar in her room that identifies each day with a number "post transplant." The numbers should fall through the middle of next week and then they will give her growth factor to get her good cells to start reproducing again. When she comes home will depend on how quickly her body will make those white blood cells to protect her against infection. Even after she is discharged, she will be highly at risk for infection and will need to limit her contact with people especially with it being flu season. She is getting a little sick of hosptial food and yesterday, she thoroughly enjoyed a burger that I brought her from Tom's bar and grill. So if you are planning on visiting, please ask her if there is any food or anything that sounds good to her. She has a refrigerator in her room and there is a microwave on the floor. That is all for now. Continue prayers for her!

Hi All,
It's Thursday evening and I'm wide awake. I keep gettin nausea pills which keep it under control. Today I took a few laps around the floor. It helps to get out of the room a little. My aunt came t.o visit earlier this evening and brought me some chocolates, I can't wait until I can enjoy one or two of them. So far it's not too bad. I will happily sleep through the upset stomach part. I'm just waitng for all the blood counts to go down so that I start to reboot. Thanks again for everyone who is supporting me. It really warms my heart!
Maria

Tuesday, Dec,6, 2011

Hi Everyone!
Transplant went well yesterday. I was given a big dose of benedryl which made me pretty sleepy. Last nigtht I slept o.k. This morning I got myself cleaned up and went for a walk. The physical therapist said 13 laps around the floor make a mile. I think the 13 laps in a row will make me dizzy. I'll just do a few at a time. No side effects yet. I hope they aren't as intense as they prepare you for. Thanks again to everyone for everything you do.
Maria

How can you help?

After a nice visit with Maria today, I wanted to come up with some suggestions for people who are wanting to do something to help. So many of my friends have offered so many times and other than the fundraising cards that so many people came through for, I can only come up with prayers. Prayers are definately the biggest gift that can be given right now. After seeing Maria this afternoon and how decent she is feeling right now, it only makes me more nervous for what lies ahead. The doctors and nurses have prepared her for all that may happen but it is a waiting game to see what end of the spectrum her symptoms will develop into. So prayers for the easiest hospital stay and minimal negative affects are much appreciated. Also, prayers for my brother Jeff. He does not deal the best with anything medical and it will be hard on him to be at home holding down the fort and running his business knowing Maria is in the hospital. Also, prayers for Maria's mom Gina. I never stopped to think how hard the hospital stay would be on her. Gina spends most of her time with Maria and can stop by for a visit anytime. It will be difficult for her to get down to Barnes because she is unfamiliar with the area. I know Gina will be very helpful and preoccupied with the kids and helping Jeff out but I know she will miss her daughter terribly.
So besides prayers, I had a few other ideas. One is to send a card of inspiration and prayer to Maria. Nothing beats a handwritten note and rereading them is very uplifting to her. I will have her home address at the end and Jeff will take them to her at the hospital. Many people have offered to cook meals. This is very kind but it will be difficult in the next couple weeks to coordinate when someone will be home to accept them and where to store them. The girls will be back and forth between my house, Gina's and their home and Jeff's schedule is always crazy. Another idea would be to send a gift card. Many times the cost of preparing a meal is more than grabbing take out and with all the running around, take out may be the most convenient for now. Gift cards for gas would also be another suggestion. It is amazing how fast a couple trips to Barnes can add up to big bucks. I know with all of the doctor visits, parking fees etc., copays and such, the bills always pile up.
These are just a couple of ideas, Maria hired a house cleaner while she is gone which will definately help. Like I said before, prayers are foremost the most important gift, but I had to throw the other ideas out there because I keep putting myself in her shoes and I cannot imagine walking out on my home life for a month. I am a firm believer in karma and there is not a more giving, kind-hearted soul on this planet than Maria and therefore, I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive the help from friends and strangers that are pulling for her!

here is her address
Maria Klump
#7 Village Drive
St. Louis Missouri 63146

Hi Everyone,
I arrived friday night and received first bag of chemo. On saturday I received a second treatment. I'm off today, sunday. Monday I get the stem cell transplant. So far I'm not feeling too bad. Thanks for all the prayers!
Those are the best to keep someone on track.
Maria