Eight years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). At the time I thought my life as I knew it was over. I assumed I’d be sick, bald, dying. But thanks to the miracle drug I take, my experience with cancer was nothing like I’d expected. No hair loss, no hospital stays, no chemo, no need to get sick just to get well. Sure, I may never be cured, but eight years later, I am still here. And I am a wife, a mother, a pregnant lady and (pretty much) cancer free. I could never have imagined all of that when I first heard the words, "You have cancer" eight years ago. Not too shabby, huh?

With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who just announced he has CML too. 

I’ve eaten seafood without knowing the source (I don’t overdo it), soft cheeses in moderation (and enjoyed them!), and one really good steak (juicy, but not rare). I haven’t had any alcoholic drinks, but I’ve met a number of women who have had a glass of wine here and there -- often citing French women, or their grandmothers' generation. I’ve placed an official request with my husband for sushi and champagne at the ready as soon as our baby is born. How strict have you been about all of the pregnancy rules? I’m curious.

Sleep has never been our problem. For all the issues we’ve faced with Alex -- MRSA, his severe allergies, his eczema, the fact that he now climbs out of his crib constantly and says F---! a lot -- sleep has never been one of them. He started going through the night on his own at about seven weeks and we haven’t looked back. Now bedtime is around 8 and he wakes up at around 7 and we rarely hear a peep out of him in between -- and he’s never, ever slept in our bed. Needless to say, I get plenty of sleep. But something tells me that’s going to change very soon….

I was debating whether to even post about this, but then I thought, what’s the point of writing a blog about your life if you’re not going to share the nitty gritty details? So here goes…

I got a call from my oncologist, Dr. Mauro, a few days ago and my latest cancer test came back with a VERY WEAK positive. I capitalized very weak because I don’t want you (or my family, who reads this blog) to think this is anything to panic about. It’s not. It is so low that it’s barely quantifiable. If the test hadn’t been run in the super-sensitive lab at OHSU, it never would have shown up. And it may just go away on it’s own by next month. Am I worried? No. I’m really not. I only have two months left in the pregnancy and even if -- if -- the cancer seems to be creeping back, it will be so slow moving that we wouldn’t treat it until after the baby comes. And I’m already planning to go back on Gleevec right away anyway.

I’ve been working on a massive slideshow of my life (so you can learn even more about me—I’m really hoping you’re not sick of me yet!) and it’s ready for viewing! It’s a glimpse at my life before Alex, my life with cancer and my life these days…. Check it out when you can and tell me what you think.

Also, I’ve been meaning to ask…if there is anything you guys want to talk about that I haven’t touched on yet, let me know. My life is pretty much an open book so you can ask me anything! And, of course, non-me-related topics are great, too!