It was one year ago today that I sat shivering in my bed at Hotel Hope as my frozen stem cells were infused into my body.I'm told that stem cell transplantees - both auto and donor - get a new birthday on the day that they receive their life-giving stem cells. Since mine were infused over a two-day period, November 14 and 15, I'm not sure if I have two new birthdays or if I just look at it as a very long labor with the birth taking place on November 15.
Either way, it's certainly something to celebrate. Another year alive. Another year cancer-free. Another year older. And another excuse for cake.
(The cake in this photo from my August birthday is from Pastries by Nancy in Altadena. I just ordered a birthday cake from Takes the Cake in Pasadena, the same bakery that made my brother's wedding cake. At least now I won't be tempted to raid the ice box for the top tier of his wedding cake.)
UPDATE: I enjoyed a beautiful birthday weekend in Laguna Beach with two good friends. We sipped champagne while we watched the sun set at the Montage, walked the beautiful grounds, and then ate dinner and the "re-birthday" cake.
19 comments:
Happy happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!
The cake looks beautiful. Hope you enjoy your two-day celebration.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PERHAPS IT SHOULD BE CALLED A RE BIRTHDAY! THAT CAKE MUST HAVE BEEN FABULOUS. yummmmmmmm
A pinch to grow an inch in the secondary meristem.
Thanks Ronni and Nelle, I'll be sure to have a slice of cake in your honor.
AH, I see you're putting your Huntington Botanical training to practice. I had to look up "meristem." Interesting - it's the plant's equivalent of stem cells.
PS Nelle, Every time I see your mini photo, I think it's me.
Congratulations!!! Make sure to have ice cream with it!!
Susan,
Happy Birthday !!!! My new marrow was infused over a 2 day period, too. I consider my birthdate is May 25th, the day when I began the actual transplant, BUT... City of Hope has my transplant date as May 26, 2006.
I've personally always considered my transplant date as May 25th because that's what my transplant schedule said. I'm on your side... Nothing wrong with two birthdays!!!! Gifts, Cake & Warm Wishes twice folks!! : )
Have a great day and a superbly happy and healthy year!!
love,
nancy
BTW, You do resemble Nelle...
As a loyal reader, I'm happy to celebrate any and all of the "good health" days with you, but most especially, Happy Bi-Birthday, Today and Tomorrow!
Wendy
happy birthday. you are more than allowed to celebrate more than once a year! Especially since it has been a heckuva year. I am counting down about a month and a half to the year mark of my last round of chemo.
have a piece of cake for me & celebrate heartily!
Happy birthday! I'm all for 2 day celebrations.
There is so much to celebrate! Happy birthday.
dear susan, in the jewish religion 18 cents stands for life,good luck,new beginning. the jingle of change in your pocket or the still looking for the pocketbook of a lifetime.... heartfelt thoughts and feelings to you and your family and family of friends.love,hope
Congratulations Susan, and many many more!
So, does this mean that you now have 2 birthdays? Or does this one supplant your birth-day? I also wonder about star signs - Scorpio now?!! ... :)
Kathy, Nancy, Wendy, Trish, Ann, Hope, Idelle and Susie: Thanks so much for the good wishes. Thanks for being a "loyal reader," Wendy!
And, by the way, the cake was delish. Sorry I didn't save a slice for you.
PS I didn't even think about the whole astrological sign thing , Susie. Scorpio, huh? I actually went to a birthday party on Friday for a friend with the same birthday, and it turns out that a good friend's hubby of one year also shares a birthday with me. So I'm in very good Scorpio company.
Oh my goodness! Just went to your blog. I celebrated the 44th anniversary of my 21st birthday on Friday, the 14th!
I, too, had cake from Pastries by Nancy!
Congratulations! Here's to us!! (And also Altadena artist Robin Shectman, and Sierra Madre contractor par excellence Debbie Ross!)
Cyberhugs from Monica
Happy birthday, Monica! Another great Scorpio with good taste in cake.
Happy Birthday!!!
If you can hold off 'til September 20, 2009, Bonnie and I will share the wedding cake with you.
I love this post. And I love the fact that you now have two -- or is it three -- birthdays. The more reasons to celebrate the better.
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