9-Year Anniversary

May 16th 2000 I was lying in a hospital bed in Children's Hospital, San Diego. Not my first time in that hospital and definitely not the last, but this day was special. Since my diagnosis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia on January 13th, 2000, I had been awaiting this very day. After the diagnosis, the next 4 months and 3 days were spent in and out of the hospital receiving blood transfusions to keep my white blood count at a non-lethal level until a bone marrow match was found. I briefly went back to school as I waited day after day as my family and friends were tested for matches, and multiple bone marrow drives, blood drives, and fundraisers were held around the community. Finally, a match was found for a cord blood transplant. 5 days of total body irradiation 3 times per day to completely rid my body of its own white blood cells later, I was transfused with one small IV bag of fluid, hoping it would save my life.

I don't remember anything about that day. But today, May 16th 2009, it is 9 years later and here I am, able to celebrate another year. Cheers to another year! It's kind of like my quasi- birthday :)

Every year I do a little something to celebrate. This year I went to Purple Feet wine bar in Dana Point with Andrea, Martin, Brent and my cousin Tyler who is living with us for about a month. We got a bottle of the "Luscious Lips" Syrah from Temecula Valley. It was my first time there, it was a very cool place-mellow atmosphere, friendly staff, and the food and wine was all great.