D+274, 9 Months & a New 3/4s Birthday

My good friend, kindred spirit and sista from another motha, Beth (Boggess) Baptist, was born on December 30 (I’ll let her fill in the year if she wants). Growing up with that birthday, Beth always felt her birthday was a bit overlooked. Her friends were coming off of Christmas and kind of gearing up for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She was, well, she was stuck in the middle.

So, from her late teen years on, Beth celebrated her “half birthday,” June 30. A new celebration was born!

I kind of dug that idea. And, between her and I (birthday on March 30), we have birthdays or half birthdays to celebrate every quarter on the 30th.

But, that was before my second, “extra birthday,” that was given to me with my stem cell transplant – November 5, 2019. Yeah, the staff at Stanford even gave me a birthday cake. Despite my chemo-induced nausea and vomiting, I ate darn near the entire thing.

So, now I have two birthdays – March 30 and November 5. And, I have two “half birthdays,” September 30 and May 5 (yes, Cinco de Mayo – winner!).

Today, is August 5, and it’s a celebration of D+274, the 274th day post-transplant of my stem cells. Nine months. Or, for Beth and people like me, my extra “3/4s birthday.”

To provide an update on my health to all friends and family, I celebrated the occasion with a taping of a new episode of Ray TV.

I’m feeling great, and have the energy to keep active, both with my exercise and my music. Sure, I’m tired at the end of the day, but give me a break, I’m 56 years old.

How many 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4s birthdays is that anyway?

Below is a graph that outlines my WBC struggle this summer. My brand new bone marrow (thanks, stem cells!) gets worked over a bit by my myeloma maintenance medications. My doctors and I are collecting data now, trying to find a happy medium and balance, particularly in this pandemic era.

Take care to be well, friends, and thank you so much for your love, encouragement and support.