First Trip Since Being Diagnosed with Leukemia

It has been almost five months since my initial diagnoses of chronic myelogenous leukemia. We were forced to cancel our annual trip to Cabo San Lucas and our trip to Germany, but have been given the green light to travel to Portland, Oregon for a dance competition and then on to Boise, Idaho; to visit old friends, search for a new home and to teach a dance workshop. We will be gone for ten days. This will be a very ambitious undertaking!

As I am packing and getting ready for our trip, I must admit that I am very, very excited; yet very apprehensive. There is an underlying nervousness that I have never experienced before. I have always been a happy-go-lucky, kind of a girl that traveled without a care. Having leukemia seems to have put a bit of a damper on my carefreeness. I know that I can no longer count on my health and that it can take a downward turn, at the drop of a hat.

Here at home, I have established a safe and comfortable cocoon; I know that help is just down the road; traveling means that I am at the mercy of unknown medical professionals. It is a bit scary to wander out of my “cocoon” and away from my own doctor that knows me and my leukemia very well. I am sure that some of this apprehension arises from my frequent visits to my folks, just a few hours from here; seems as though every time that I have traveled there, I have had some sort of set-back.

I do have a bit of peace and comfort, knowing that for the majority of our trip we will be in Boise. Through my blog, I have been in contact with another gal, whom also has CML, and lives in Boise. She seems to like her doctor and that is a “good-thing,” help IS available. The other comfort is in knowing that I have so many friends in Boise; if something were to happen while I was there, the rescue squad would rush in.  Boise is my home away from home and I can hardly wait to move back there next year.

So, as I ready for my competition and trip, I am trying very hard to stay positive and put “healthy” vibes out into the universe. I have yet to take my leukemia on a plane and to be quite frank; the floating cesspool of germs that will be recycling through the aircraft is frightening. I have been taking my vitamins religiously, I plan to plop two Airborne’s into a bottle of water as soon as I get through security and will be constantly washing my hands. I am hoping that the plane ride will be uneventful and that the Dance and Travel Gods’ will be with me throughout this venture. I am praying for a safe, happy and healthy trip.

Off to finish packing!