Right before I turned fifty years old and as we moved our daughter into college, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It is a rare cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow that produces antibodies to fight infections. It can damage the kidneys, bones, and immune system. I have been receiving chemotherapy for the last six months to prepare me for my stem cell transplant, which will take place at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

I was blessed to have my mother, who lives in Wisconsin, come to Arkansas to be my caregiver. She was also going to be my caregiver at the Mayo Clinic for up to two months and as I recovered at home. Unfortunately, two weeks before leaving for the transplant, a brain tumor was discovered and she underwent surgery. Therefore, my husband will be taking off a minimum of two months of unpaid leave in order to be my caregiver. I am blessed to have my mother-n-law help with the children as we are gone. She also drove and sat with me at my appointments and has been an endless source of emotional support.

After the stem cell transplant, I will receive three more years of chemotherapy.

This has been an unexpected journey, but we are placing this in God’s hands. We serve a wonderworking God who has wonderworking power, and our faith in Him has carried us this far.

And I know He will carry us through everyday going forward.