Hello Everyone and Thanks for visiting my blog, (My Stem Cell Transplant has been booked for October, 2014) My latest medical news is that I have now completed round one of an injection chemotherapy x seven days (Vidaza), by day five - (and as previously mentioned) my bone pain (in my thighs and hips) had stopped. To keep you all updated in a less confusing way, I have now changed my blog pages in a dated format with my latest news clearly at the top of my blog pages. This is where all my very latest information and medical journey will be located and blogged as I can. We were going to start my new round of injection chemotherapy Tuesday, 16th September and we were hoping for much less accute side effects.

Just had my 6th chemo injection today out of 7 - in my first course for MDS. One more day and I can have a break from chemo for 2-3 weeks with weekly hospital visits and blood transfusions as needed, until my rescue donor is located. I came to chemo yesterday, very weak and exhausted yesterday (Monday). My red blood cells were up higher, but because I felt awful, I got a bag of blood to increase my energy. Within 2 hours, I felt like a new lady - It's amazing what a bag of blood can do!!

POSITIVELY PRESSING ON: I have now completed day 4 of 7. Let's just say that the side effects of the chemo that I am on and the fight of the disease against the chemo are pretty fierce. I have new pain meds to handle severe bone pain and get some quality sleep. Last night I had fevers, headache & dizziness - on top of the other challenges. However, this is supposed to get easier as we go along. Thank you all for your support and prayers - more chemo tomorrow. The last four days I have dealt with the largest amount of side effects ever for any chemotherapy, that I've ever had to endure - I start again on Monday with 3 more injections. Some of these side effects were concurrent:

I have now completed injection 01/day 01 of Vidaza to treat Myelodysplasia (bone marrow disorder). I have 6 more double injections of 150ml total (2 needles of 75ml each) to complete this course for a total of 7 days, then 21 days off. I will then start again, repeating this cycle until it is transplant time.

JODIE'S UPDATE: Thanks to a bag of blood yesterday, today I was able to make the family dinner and hang out the washing. Two things that have been harder and harder to do, over the last month, due to lack of energy and that is due to lack of red blood cells.

MEDICAL UPDATE: My two Hematologists have now explained to me that the reason the feel I need a transplant ASAP was because of how my bone marrow looked under a microscope. They were able to figure this out because of the following: My Myelodysplasia (MDS) is related to my past chemotherapy. The MDS cells (what are called ‘blasts’) in my marrow are under 5%.

Dear treasured Family & Friends,NO PITY OR SADNESS - NO FROWNS OR TEARSWE WILL STAND IN STRENGTH AND PROMISESTAND WITH US IN FAITH, HOPE & OPTIMISMSTAND WITH US IN UPLIFTING, POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS.

Hello to you all and thank you for reading my latest blog, (NB: I am working hard currently on writing my autobiography – my full story of my life and journey. How I have survived and made it through. I am half way through. It is planned that it will be published after completion by an Australian worldwide publisher in Sydney - I will advise when it is on the shelf).

It's been one year sinced I last blogged. Why the massive time in-between my last blog? A few things: We sold our B I G house with a B I G yard - it took 10 months to sell, with almost every weekend, cleaning and opening the house for inspection!! That took up most of my time.

READ BELOW FOR AN AWESOME BOOK REVIEW OF ONE OF THE BEST BOOK'S I HAVE READ: CALLED 'GOOD GRIEF' BY ERICA McNEAL - who has battled cancer 3 times and lost 5 children. ALSO READ HERE FOR NEW LETTERS FROM WORLD LEADERS TO JODIE - HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS DUCHESS OF CORNWALL (KATE MIDDLETON) & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS OF DENMARK (MARY DONALDSON) + MORE.

We are sending you this Christmas message as a way to update you all on what has happened for our family this year, where we are and what we hope will happen in 2012. PLUS, of course we wish you all a blessed and happy Christmas this 2011 from Greg, Jodie, Julia & Anna. We also want to just say, we often forget peoples birthdays for us here in Australia, we rarely celebrate birthdays and it is more of a kids celebration for us, so please don't be offended if we forget your birthday, its not a personal thing. In regards to social media, Jodie will also often have to remove or reply to any comments that may sound slightly at chance to be misconstrued, due to all of Jodies many contacts. Recently, we had to reply to a comment a family member left that sounded offensive, it's not a personal thing.

Hi All, Well, after my last blog and the conclusion that I did not have a third incidence of disease life felt quite surreal & still does. In the last 5 years, Ive either had active disease, been in treatment or been recovering from treatment, non-stop. However, with my leg starting to show the same symptoms as disease incidence 02, in January 2010 - my expectations and those of my doctors were possibly disease again.

NEW Medical Blog Update & Side Note (26th February/2011) I will make this super quick - as I am sure some of you are interested in what was our final outcome in terms of the best opinion & with whom I believe is the best Neurologist. I have now sought the opinion of 3 city Neurologists. First one (through hospital B), second one (through hospital C) and the third one as a private patient - Neurologist number 03 was my former Neurologist I had been to from hospital A, at least 2+ years ago. She is (I believe) the best, in terms of her through examination, her consideration & her compassion & kindness. She is also now a professor of Neurology & although she could not recall my consultations with her 2+ years ago, she offered a more logical and understandable explanation as to what is occuring in my R leg & with my mobility. Also I had some weakness in my hands & arms.

Hello to all my friends & supporters, I have almost been thinking about avoidance of writing this blog....putting it off until I get myself and my medical treatment 100% sorted. Getting this out there is part of my journey and even though I am disappointed - I must write and inform. I think now I am getting a new medical path sorted, I am figuring in my mind & heart what I really want....and all of the below will explain. I have shed a lot of tears about what I am about to update.

Hello All, Heres a quote from an incredible woman: "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world" - Harriet Tubman.

Hello to you all, So much has happened since my last blog and many people have been asking what is happening with me. I have deliberately decided to not overwhelm everyone with too many details, as I am sure it can be confusing and difficult to read, at times for some people. My birthday is on August 06 so glad to reach 39 and still be smiling. So, heres another blog for now to tell you all where I am at.

Hello concerned citizens (family & friends), It is a little perplexing to a patient, that the medical scientists one is consulting with are of the same organization, but use totally different angles with different opinions? In regards to the 2 hospitals I am now talking to - I think there are some political aspects in-between hospitals and adopted methods for treatment, in regards to particular Hematological practices and transplant protocols.

Hello all again, Through all things, I remember that I am blessed, regardless of my challenge or what we face as a family.we get on with it.smile, accept it & use it to make a difference. That is my dream anyway. I pray that all I endure will make a difference for someone else. This is bizarre - I had a fall (3rd fall from the R leg) 04th June out the back of the Royal Children's Hospital, whilst exiting a QLD health building (visiting a friend) my R (weak) leg crumbled underneath me - my R knee bone hit the concrete & I twisted the L ankle. I even had a massive wound to knee through my clothes. The poor bloke & his 2 kids, who picked me up off the concrete, said he heard the bone smash from about 6 metres away. Apparently I have ripped the 'extensor digitorium longus' tendon from my L leg bone, fractured part of the Talus L foot bone & a small piece of bone has ripped away with the tendon.

Hello family & friends, I felt I must do a blog again, as so much as happened yet again and swift treatment is the name of this game. I am certain this is a relapse of Lymphoma, as we have now found an expert to confirm this. I discharged myself from hospital, May 09/2010 (so I was in for 10 days). That was enough for me. Good News (that I am totally elated about) - we now have a clear plan. My CT & BMA were clear, however we still search for the source.

Hello to my support team, family & friends, Much has happened in the last 2 weeks, since my last blog and in order keep everyone informed, writing another blog is necessary. Most of the time I keep alot of people informed via Facebook and Twitter. However, I am aware that not everyone can use FB & T for social networking purposes. So, during this phase of the journey, I will blog a little more to keep everyone informed of the finer details of life at the moment.