Geraldine and her daughter Viviane
Hello Everyone!
I know that it has been a while since I have updated everyone. There have been some things going on in my personal life that have been heartbreaking and very difficult. I am trying to keep a positive attitude, but its been hard. I really want to take the time to thank you for your emails and texts. The love and support that I have received is amazing and has really helped me through these tough times. Having Viviane in my life has been such a blessing. She keeps me busy and smiling. She has such a strong spirit which inspires me to dream my dreams and make them a reality. Her fearlessness and drive to conquer anything is contagious. She is my light and motivation to be strong and beat this disease. Its funny how motherhood makes you grow in so many ways. I recently came across a quote that really hit home with me: “Happiness is the consequence of personal growth.” I know in our everyday lives, we expect to be happy, but we don’t realize that you have to work at it by working on yourself.
Okay, enough with the emotional babble. Here is the current info. I have officially begun the transplant process. I have had ANOTHER round of ICE chemo, again. There are two reasons for this. First, is to keep my Cancer in remission and the second is to obtain the highest number of stems cells. I need to collect 10 million stem cells for my double transplant.
More to come…
Friends of Geraldine 
Stay strong, honey! Thinking of you always, you BBB!!
Love ya,
Brooke
Dear Geraldine,
Good to hear some news from you. Yes, sometimes one can be surprised by the things that can make a person grow and the kind of growth that ensues. Sometimes they are really big events; sometimes they are things that appear small, even though they can have a large effect. It may be something obvious to all or it may be a single word that has meaning only to you. Whatever it is, seize the opportunity and grow with it. The phrase “out of the mouths of babes …” has been used in many different ways (Google it), but they usually point to some new perception from an unexpected source. In this particular case, Viviane’s name is quite appropriate: Vive!
Yes, it is one thing to be dealing with this miserable cancer, but adding other unrelated burdens in the rest of your life is certainly unwelcome and not a help. Do not forget, however, that whatever it may be, you are not alone. There are many of us out here in web-land who are by your side. You may not be able to see us, but you can “hear” us.
Hmm… Once again into the ICE! That is certainly not fun, but if it is one more step on the way to recovery, so be it. You have been there before, so you know what to expect. That is a help in dealing with it and the after-effects. Again, you are not alone.
Sending my best wishes,
Love,
Harvey
G-bug,
Thanks for the update. I have been worried about you. I wish you the best through this last round of ICE. It is difficult but I’m so glad it is getting you ready for your stem cell transplant. And on the road to recovery!!! Always thinking about you and wishing all the best.
PPU