My Saga with Leukemia

Preparing for my last trip away for treatment

February 10, 2009 -- this would be the day I left for my final round of chemo and possible collection of my stem-cells.

I was babysitting just a few days prior to leaving and after tucking my granddaughter Emma (age 3) into bed, I sat next to her rubbing her head in the pale light of her room. She well remembered me having been gone for a month at a time on three occasions already, so I felt it was important to let her know I would be going away soon ONE MORE time!

As I whispered to her in the quiet, I gently told her I would be leaving again soon but would talk to her every day on the phone and see her because a visit was planned. Emma said nothing in return. As I looked at her closer, I clearly saw her her fighting hard to keep from crying. Her little mouth was quivering and she couldn't speak. This, of course, caused me to cry as well. I was so moved that this little child loved me so much that she grieved my leaving.

Somehow I managed to keep some control and I just whispered that I loved her, told her everything would be fine, and kissed her good night. But her devotion to me wrenched my heart. I will never forget it!