Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Two Thousand and eleven has been an incredible, incredible year -- and thankfully it is ending in an amazing way.  A week ago my PET/CT scan revealed stable disease, and I could NOT have asked for better results.  This concludes that the Texas Refractory Arm (EBV+ Trial) IS working! Which we are all very excited about.

At this point, I will receive the infusion once ever 6-8 weeks (this will be my decision) and then scan every 12 weeks. Which means, I will fly to Texas a lot over the next six months but it will definitely be worth it.  Speaking of Texas, I wanted to apologize for not posting this sooner AND thank the numerous donors from the first few rounds of treatment, without all of you I would not have been able to fly, pay for lodging, or eat in Texas, and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you SO SO much to: Ms. Lisa Herlihy, Ms. Tywyn Daniels, Ms. Karen Regan, Ms. Judy Kilty, Teri Krieger, Ms. Carrie Witting & Mr. Andrew Lewis, Ms. Alyson Weissman, Mr. John Marco, Ms. Jenna Jezierski & Mr. Ajay Siekierski, Ms. Barbara Chambers, Ms. Katy Cooper, Mr. James OHair, Ms. Alannah DiBona, Ms. Courtney Forsberg, Ms. Linda F. Davidson, Mr. Chris Carr, Ms. Michelle McDonald, Ms. Eve Braley, Ms. Jussara Berry, Ms. Caitlyn Gable, Ms. Ruth Hendry, Ms. Tianna McCormick, Ms. Jessie Oettinger, Ms. Jessica Smarsch, Ms. Karen Tully, my uncle and my lovely brother.  For those who donated five dollars or more -- thank you, thank you, thank you!

And with that, I will once again be going down to Texas for my next infusion mid to late January, and therefore, will obviously need a bit more help.  So if you are able at all to open your hearts and donate to the 'Houston Treatment Donations' on the right side of the screen through paypal I will be forever, forever, in debt to each of you. Just click on the donate button and you're able to donate ANY amount, this can be 1 dollar, or anything more!

We are also desperately looking for ANYONE with frequent flyer miles that would be willing to donate to my flights from PHL>TX and back, so I can get to my treatment this month.  If you have any available miles and would like to donate, please, please email me at: RebekahFurey@mac.com

Again, without all of the donors, and good friends, I would never even begin to be able to receive this form of treatment -- a treatment that is actually working! So again, thank you.

Although life is good, healthy, and normal over here.  I wanted to take a moment to honor and send peace to the Reed Family who is dealing with the incredible loss of Mike Reed, a fellow refractory hedger who fought for twelve years and is one of the refractory folks community most honored, respected, and loving pioneers of the cancer community.  I encourage you, your friends and family to take a moment and send love to the Reed family, to wife April, and baby Trent.  Therefore I encourage you to stop by Mike's CaringBridge Site and send a message to April and Mike's family.

You can visit and leave them a message by clicking here.

There are never any words that justify the loss of a great man like Mike; therefore, those who are refractory continue to follow his footsteps, and those who knew Mike and his family I know will continue to treat the world and the people they love around them, just as Mike has: with grace, patience, kindness, respect and love.

Sending you love and strength Reeds, we are thinking of you constantly.

As the close of 2011 approaches, I feel grateful that I have met such souls as Mike, and so many others we have lost this year, and those who continue to live with this disease.   Although there have been some small bumps in the road these last few months, it has been a pretty wonderful year and I am thankful that I get to close off 2011 with a partner I adore, a family who continues to be supportive, friends who never leave my side, and a future worth planning.

To each and every one of you, I wish you love and a wonderful New Years Eve :) 

And so does Ms. Zooey Deshanel and Mr. Joseph Gordon...

Sending all of you the happiest of holiday wishes,

the best for this new year,

and of course, love, peace and strength to the Reed's. 

xoxo,
B.