It’s the day before I move into the Hilton Americas for the International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival. It is also my birthday.
Sunday my husband and I went to James Avery after Sunday school, church, and lunch. I had chosen the wide Crosslet Ring for my birthday gift from him. While he was paying for it and giving instructions for the engraving, I went to Chico’s next door.
Really, I was looking for one item at our local Chico’s that I hadn’t found at the Chico’s near our office. One thing led to another, with a helpful, knowledgeable manager, and I came out with four new outfits to wear to the Fall Quilt Shows. Happy Birthday to me.
The Hilton and the George R. Brown Convention Center will be my home for twelve nights and thirteen days. However, each Monday, Wednesday and Friday my husband will pick me up at 6:30 am to go to MD Anderson Hospital for blood reviews, PA and oncologist visits and platelets and blood transfusions. I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in 2007, but did not need treatment until March of 2015.
Those of you who have seen me running the Education Department for Quilt Market and Quilt Festival for the last 40 years, have no fear. I will be there sporadically. I feel fine and have energy as long as I have a current platelets and/or blood transfusion.
The shows are in good hands with Jill Benge as Manager, Barbara Cline as her assistant, Marcia Barker, who takes on all our special projects and new developments, and Shannon McGaw who works part-time for Education and a great help to me.
Part of our show team will arrive for Market and the remainder will come during Festival. We couldn’t do the shows without them.
Man or woman cannot live on transfusions of someone else’s blood products indefinitely. For a while one of the chemo trial treatments worked for me. But, after seven months of no transfusions we came to a dead end. My oncologist tried other treatments, but my bone marrow just won’t function properly.
So the only thing that is left is to have a Stem Cell Transplant. When my oncologist is satisfied I am healthy enough to go through the high dose chemo process, to eliminate my existing bone marrow cells, I will be admitted to the hospital for three to four weeks. After the conditioning phase is complete, the collected stem cells will be infused in my body. My blood counts will be monitored daily and any side effects will be managed. It will be a tough time. Initially I said I wouldn’t put myself through this voluntarily, but when that’s all that’s left, I had to change my mind.
Once I have engrafted, meaning that my white blood cells have recovered, and I am eating and drinking well, I will be discharged from the hospital. For 100 days I have to have a caregiver 24 hours a day. I will be monitored at the hospital generally every day for follow-up initially and that will adjust to every other day depending on my health and needs. I’ve been told to plan on a year to get back to how I was physically before the transplant. Needless to say, I am fearful. I am sad.
I won’t be able to be in public for quite some time because of infection possibility. I will have no immune system initially. The family gatherings I treasure so much will have to wait for a while.
During this process I won’t be able to be around grandchildren who are under 14 years of age. That breaks my heart. We have a 16 month old grandson and another baby on the way.
I will be strong and follow the rules so I can recover and have good times again with family, friends and TRAVEL. My faith, family, and friends will be of utmost importance through this process. God will be my constant companion. I won’t be alone.
Will you say a little prayer for me? God bless you and love, Judy
Tags: bone marrow, Chico's, George R. Brown Convention Center, grandchildren, Hilton Americas, International Quilt Festival, James Avery, MD Anderson Hospital, prayer, quilt market, stem cell transplant
October 25, 2016 at 12:38 AM |
You have Many Positive Thoughts and Energies directed your way.
May your span of recovery move along smoothly.
Your are in my Thoughts and in my Heart.
hugs xoxo
Gerry
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 25, 2016 at 6:55 PM |
Thank you, Gerry. I appreciate your good wishes. It means a lot to me.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 12:50 AM |
I will be saying way more than a little prayer for you, Judy. Unceasing big prayers, that is. I know you’ll soon be back and better than ever. What a mighty God we serve!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 25, 2016 at 6:56 PM |
Unceasing big prayers sound good. I’ve done a lot of that myself. Thanks for yours, Kay.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 12:57 AM |
Will definitely keep you, your family, and your doctors in my prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 26, 2016 at 2:54 PM |
Thank you for your prayers, Ellen.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 1:14 AM |
Judy-know that we will be with you as you travel along this path. Courage,passion,tenacity,love-you have it all! See you next week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:42 PM |
Dear Glennis, yes, it has taken courage and a few other things to cope during these 22 days of isolation. The love of family and friends and a caring nursing staff have been tremendous support. Thank you for yours. Only a week more to go.
LikeLike
February 22, 2017 at 12:33 PM
Judy, Your Christmas and Valentine photos are wonderful. Hope all is still going well. You are beautiful! Before Christmas, I mentioned to you I needed a bit of advise regarding a quilted wall art piece. Do you know or remember the artist Trudy Billingsley from Australia? Her piece “Wait For Me” was featured in the quilt festival years ago. I would enjoy talking with a minute or two regarding this. Thank you. Continuing to left you, Tom and all your sweet family up in prayer. ~ Gayla Whitaker
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 6:39 AM |
Love, faith, family, and a wonderful medical team will see you through this. So very eager to see you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:27 PM |
Thank you, Barbara. It’s Day 22 of 28 now.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 7:18 AM |
Dear Judy You have been in my daily prayer petitions for many months now and I will continue to pray for you. I’ve know very difficult times in my life and the Lord has comforted and sustained me during these times, and I know he will do the same for you and your family. With love and prayers, Mary Serafini
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:26 PM |
Thank you, Mary. Yes, I have depended on the Trinity during these 22 days of 28. I have asked for strength and peace many times. How would I make it without Him. Thanks for your reminder. Blessings to you.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 7:41 AM |
Sending sending sending! Please let us know when you head in for the treatment so we can double down! And thank heavens for easy video on our phones and internet chats…hopefully that will help you feel a bit less isolated. You are so strong Judy—you are simply amazing! Hope to see you and (if it’s ok for your health) give you a hug as I whiz in and out of the teacher’s room! Sending MASSIVE healing and light and comfort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:24 PM |
Glad I was able to see you a couple of times at Quilt Festival, Sarah Ann. I’m on Day 22 of 28 days in isolation for chemo treatment instead of stem cell transplant. Thank you for your sweet attention.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:00 AM |
Sending you healing prayers and know you are being taken care of my the big guy upstairs! I sure miss you at Quilt and am so pleased to see you’re still running things. Quilt Fest and Market were my fave shows to teach at EVER!!! That’s all due to you and your FAB staff! So hang in there, soak up all our love for you and recover quickly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:21 PM |
Thank you, Kristal. I miss having you on our teaching staff. Hope great things are coming your way.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:02 AM |
Dear Judy, I am sending you so many prayers and wishes for you to be well. Looking forward to seeing you in Houston.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:20 PM |
Sara, Houston was brief for me as I went into the hospital for 28 days before it was over. I so appreciate your messages and prayers. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:10 AM |
Prayers and good wishes are going your way from one of the Piece Corp. workers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:18 PM |
Dear Linda, Thank you for your prayers. And thank you for your work as a Piece Corps member. You all do a fantastic job.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:33 AM |
Dear Judy:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I am hoping the 100+ days
will pass quickly for you and the transplant will do wonderful things for you.
I am so happy for the shopping fun you had for your birthday. Wishing you
many happy hours in Houston at Market and Festival. That must be a
wonderful experience.
I hope the loving thoughts of fellow quilters, friends and family will sustain you
through the difficult days ahead.
Kay Stevens
________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2016 at 5:16 PM |
Kathleen, instead of 30 days for a stem cell transplant, I am in isolation for 28 days at MD Anderson. This is Day 22. Except for mean sores in my mouth and swollen feet, my stay hasn’t been too bad. My prayer is that when this is over I will be in remission sometime soon. That’s the goal. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Judy
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:49 AM |
Prayers and healing vibes! Looking forward to seeing you in Houston in all you new clothes!
LikeLike
November 22, 2016 at 9:42 PM |
So glad I had a chance to chat with you at Festival before I had to leave early. Thank you for your prayers, Morna.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 9:27 AM |
You are a strong woman and, although it is certainly tough, you can get through this and then go back to living your life after the transplant is completed. You will be very well cared for at MDA. Aren’t we fortunate it’s in Houston? You are in my prayers and thoughts. Hope to see you at Festival.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:40 PM |
D’Anne, I am in the hospital for 28 days, but not for the stem cell transplant. Instead I am in isolation getting chemo. My bone marrow is completely eradicated in hopes of killing the cancer. If all works, I’ll be able to produce my own blood products once again. My care here has been excellent. Thank you for your prayers.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 9:36 AM |
Best wishes and prayers. I may track you down at QF just to give you a hug.
LikeLike
November 22, 2016 at 9:36 PM |
Hi Judy. I was at Quilt Festival for such a short time because of transfusions and then had to leave on Thursday in preparation for my hospital stay. I missed seeing so many people. Hopefully, I’ll be back next year much stronger. Thank you for your prayers.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 11:31 AM |
My heart is so full of thoughts and caring for you. Of course you will be in all my prayers with all my hopes for a wonderful quilt festival and a completely successful treatment to follow. My love and admiration for you my precious friend,
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:35 PM |
Thank you Cheri. What dear thoughts come to mind when I think of you and our days together at SWTSC. Much love to you.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 12:37 PM |
God has you in his arms and he’s got this!
Stay strong and keep praying as we all will.
Love and prayers to your family.XXOO
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:33 PM |
Me in God’s arms is a comforting thought. Thank you, Pati, for that image.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 1:21 PM |
My heart is breaking that you have to go through this ordeal, Judy. Danny and I will pray together for you every night and you will be in my thoughts daily. Please keep me informed of your progress through this life-saving process. You are so special to me and to all your other friends and families.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:32 PM |
Thank you, Cindy. I am in isolation for 28 days, but not for stem cell transplant. I’m trying yet another chemo to hopefully get my bone marrow to work at producing my blood products again. I appreciate your concern and for your prayers. I have so many fond memories of us in Junior High School.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 3:04 PM |
Judy and Tom, Bob and I will pray for you and your family. Our God is good and He has you in His caring and healing arms. The beautifully quilted piece with the gold cross is hanging in the First Presbyterian Victoria entry as a sweet reminder of the wonderful Murrah family. All our love and prayers will be focused on you and your healing. Love to all, Gayla and Bob Whitaker
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:29 PM |
What a nice thought, Gayla. I remember you, Kay, and I making that banner. That was a special time. I like the image of me being in God’s healing hands. How comforting. This is Day 17 of my 28 days in isolation. It hasn’t been hard. The reward will be if the chemo worked to give me remission for a while. Thank you to you and Bob for your prayers.
LikeLike
November 22, 2016 at 9:58 PM
Judy, I am very happy to hear from you and that you are over half-way complete with the treatments. You are truly an inspiration of grace, patience, strength and courage. I am looking forward to seeing you when all is normal for you again and to getting some expert advise on another quilting project. Trusting in and praying for our Lord to do great and mighty works. Love, Gayla
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 25, 2016 at 5:23 PM |
Many prayers for you and your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:26 PM |
Maggie, your prayers are much appreciated. Thank you.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 5:53 PM |
Judy I will be praying for you and your family. Hope to see you at the festival.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:25 PM |
Thank you for your prayers, Laroyce. Pray that this chemo works for me so I can go into remission for a little while.
LikeLike
October 25, 2016 at 8:38 PM |
Prayers going up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:24 PM |
Thank you, Katy. Prayers are much appreciated.
LikeLike
October 26, 2016 at 8:42 AM |
Wish I could be there to see you in your new outfits. I hope this is another great show for you. I admire Your strength & positive attitude. You are in my prayers for God to continue to give you the strength To endure all these treatments. I know being away from your family will be the hardest but hopefully It will go by fast & you will get to be with those beautiful grandchildren soon. Love & prayers, bje
Betty Jo Elder Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:24 PM |
I am on Day 17 of isolation. Since it’s another chemo treatment for this month, I haven’t felt bad like I would with a stem cell transplant. Hopefully, this treatment will buy me a little more time. Thank you so much, Betty Jo, for your prayers. They are so appreciated.
LikeLike
October 26, 2016 at 9:00 AM |
I look forward to meeting you! I’m sure I’ll recognize the one looking snazzy in her new clothes!
I’ll be praying for you too! It has to be a difficult decision.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:22 PM |
Lori, so sorry I saw so little of you at Festival. I had hoped to spend my usual amount of time in the Education office. I wanted to meet and encourage our new workers. Well, that just didn’t happen. Thank you for all your hard work. It was much appreciated.
LikeLike
October 26, 2016 at 2:27 PM |
Thinking of you, Judy, and in my prayers. I am so very sorry you are having to go through all of this. Take care and hugs to you and yours,
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:20 PM |
Sorry I missed you at Festival, Pokey. I had hoped to see you. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I’m on Day 17 of 28 days in isolation in a protected environment. It hasn’t been nearly as bad as I expected. Congratulations on all your new endeavors.
LikeLike
October 26, 2016 at 10:38 PM |
Dear Judy, I look up to you and will be so happy to see you in a few days. You are the face of Festival and an inspiration. May God continue to bless your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:17 PM |
Thank you. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much time to spend at Festival. I got transfusions two of the days and then had to leave the show on Thursday. I certainly missed it all. Hopefully, next year I’ll be back for the full show.
LikeLike
October 26, 2016 at 11:00 PM |
Judy, May the Lord bless you. Carolyn
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 22, 2016 at 9:16 PM |
Thank you, Carolyn.
LikeLike