The first autologous bone marrow transplant has been completed! I spoke with Geraldine by phone earlier and she was told that she could go home today, so I am sure that she and her family have packed up and headed back home for a well-earned break from all of this.
I don’t have all of the details, but from what I’ve been able to piece together, her counts and weight have reached a point where she no longer needs to be residing a few minutes away from the Massey Cancer Center at VCU/MCV. From all indications, Geraldine has bounced back from this very intense procedure a lot faster than expected, and while she still will be traveling back and forth for bloodwork every few days, she should now be back at home with her family. I’m sure they are super busy with the packing and unpacking from her long stay in Richmond (about 27 days in total), so I wanted to give you all a quick update until Geraldine can fill in all of the details.
Also, the charity auction for the One of a Kind Diamond and Tanzanite Handcrafted Pendant ends later tonight.
Welcome home Geraldine. Your strength and resilience through this hard time continue to amaze me. Keep up the good work!
Friends of Geraldine 
Hello Geraldine,
I just saw Malcom’s posting that you have gone home. This is really great news. It is a major step forward for you. This is exciting for you, your family, and all of us out here in web land.!
You will have familiar surroundings and access to familiar things. You can also be with Vivi; that will be good for both of you. Wish I could welcome you home in person.S
Look forward to hearing of more progress. What a great way to begin a New Year!
Love,
Harvey
Yay! Can’t wait to see you! Happy New Year!
Welcome home babe! So proud of your progress and STRENGTH. You are a life warrior.
I love you – Allie
Hey Geraldine!
I am so inspired and impressed with your strength and grace through all this. I am glad you are able to go home. I just wanted to send you a note to let you know I was thinking about you. Take care and Happy New Year! May 2009 bring you all the Hope, Health and Love you deserve!
Trudy
Hi Geraldine,
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, but Allie and others always mention you when we talk. It’s great to read about your progress. May 2009 be a wonderful year for you!
Love,
Sabine
I’m so happy that you are home! I love you. Happy New Year.
You made it home! Congrats!
Hey babe … what can I say … your unfortunate ordeal has had the simultaneous effect of reminding me of how lucky I am with the admittedly short and successful (so far … but do you ever feel ‘cured’ of cancer) period of time and treatment that I had to endure with my Hodgekin’s disease as well as humbling me … the tale of what you endured with the young lady brought tears to my eyes. I dunno … I think I spent my year battling cancer more angry than anything. Angry that I felt ‘violated’ – for lack of a better term – by something that didn’t belong then subsequently violated further by the installation of necessary ‘plumbing’ such as mediports … the loss of hair, discoloration of nails etc … constant pain and an odd inability to breathe while everyone annoyingly kept asking ‘are you alright’ … when all I wanted was to forget it all or just be normal again.
Although I am not, for obvious reasons, blessed to have a child … I do have a baby niece whom I love as if she were my own. The ability of the love for a child to drive us to live and heal is incalculable. Your daughter is beautiful and so are you … hey I’m bald too if that helps :-).
Just make it through this.
I love ya. Take care.
Geraldine, mon “petit coeur”je viens de terminer la lecture du “site” et je voudrai pouvoir trouver les mots justes pour te dire combien j’admire ta determination et ton courage! J’ai regulierement de tes nouvelles soit directement par ta mere, ou par Jacqueline Szupel, ou en allant directement sur le “site”. Ne crois pas que je t’oublie, loin de la. Tu es presente dans mon esprit a tout moment. Tes parents sont admirables dans leur amour pour toi; cela et la presence de ton amour de petite fille contribuent a ta guerison que j’espere rapide et totale. Une de mes amies que je considere comme ma “substitute mother” souffre du meme mal. Cela a ete decouvert debut novembre; elle a bien supporte la chimio au debut, mais maintenant elle est faible et alitee. Elle est beaucoup plus agee que toi, elle a 83 ans, et parfois je me demande si tout cela a un sens. Peut-etre un jour comprendrai-je…. en attendant, je veux te dire combien je suis heureuse que tu aies pu quitter Richmond, on se sent toujours mieux chez soi. Je pense fort a toi et je t’embrasse fort… Nicole
Rock on chic – congrats & welcome back!