Keep up with Grace's story and find out how you can make an impact.

Update from Grace: Grace got the result from the spinal tap, and it shows that no leukemia cells have penetrated to her spine and brain! So we have one big worry less. Also, her white blood cell composition looks just fine (the total count was just below 4000, which is the lower limit for normal). She hasn’t had the bone marrow biopsy yet, she will have that on Tuesday morning and then go up to the ward to start the second round of chemo on Tuesday night. For the next 4 weeks, she will spend the first week at the hospital for the chemo, and then go back and forth between the hospital and home for checkups a couple of times per week. We’ll keep you updated about the progress.

In the midst of this illness, Grace feels so grateful to have the caring support from her parents and brothers, especially her mom. This illness has really strengthened the bond between her and her family. She is also so grateful for the continuous blessings and support

Update from Grace: Since I (Johan) is inChicago for these few days, Jack helped out to drive Grace and her mom to the hospital yesterday for her spinal tap. What they do is put a needle into the spine, let some spinal fluid drain out, and put in some chemo in its place. We’ll get the result in a couple of days (that’s the result we want to see below 5%). Also, they talked to the doctor, and he said that Grace’s case is very, very rare. So Grace gets to contribute some more to medical science…

Dear all – this is Grace. I just want to thank all of you for the great postings. These postings on Facebook kept me smiling while I was in hospital and when my body is in pain. As Johan said in last update – hope that my test result is good (I’m getting the spinal tap & bone marrow biopsy next week), meaning, less than 5% bad …cells. And as Johan said, best way to send me blessing is either through going on a vegetarian diet (either 1 day per week, 1 month, 1 year, lifetime…), join The Power of 5, doing one good deed per day, or send prayers to not just me, but also to the suffering people in the world & our Mother Earth. To me, these are the best blessings I can ever receive (plus all the postings on facebook, of course). I feel so lucky and grateful that I didn’t suffer as much during 1st round of chemo as compared to many others, and that i have the love and support and blessings from my family & friends & from many many others such as you. I always believe in that even though I am sick, I should still make myself useful & do meaningful things…and that the illness happened for a reason, so that I can encourage more people to do more meaningful things in life (and perhaps help people to conduct research so we can help more people in the future…my doctor said that my case is kind of rare – considering i had prior case of parotid gland cancer, plus acute lymphoblastic leukemia). In any case, I’m just grateful for everything – even including getting all these illnesses – since they serve as tests/lessons in life for me so that i can be a better person, and also, according to Buddhist beliefs, I’m 消業. In any case, I just want to thank all of you for your support. I will probably start my 2nd round of chemo in a week or two, and doctors are thinking perhaps bone marrow transplant some time in September? Johan will keep you all updated frequently.
Love,
Grace

Lisy Lee (Grace’s cousin)

All of us have a thousand wishes. To be thinner, to be bigger, have more money, have a cool car, a day off, a new phone, to date the person of your dreams. A cancer patient only has one wish, to kick cancer’s bum. I know that 97% of people won’t post this as their status, but my friends will be the 3% that do. In honor of someone who died, or is fighting cancer, or even had cancer, post this for at least one hour ♥

Update from Grace: Today, we talked to Dr. Yen at the hospital about Grace’s prognoses and future treatment plans. On Thursday, Grace will make a spinal tap, and the prognosis depends a lot on the result: If she has below 5% bad cells, this is considered very good, below 20% acceptable and more than that is bad. They would need to go to more aggressive chemo and change the treatment plans. In order to be able to do a bone marrow transplant after second round of chemo, she needs to have below 5% bad cells after second chemo.

So please everybody, pray that Grace’s bad cells are below 5%, and keep sending her blessings by making good deeds, such as:
- Eating more vegetarian and less meat
- Registering as a bone marrow donor
- Joining “Power of 5″ http://thepower5.org/, and like and spread the word on http://facebook.com/thepower5
- Doing good deeds every day
- Praying for all living beings and for a world free of disasters.
Or why not all of the above!
And of course – keep posting your thoughts, jokes, links and blessings on this page!

Gratefully, Grace through Johan

The Power of 5 – Welcome!

thepower5.org

The power to make a difference in a person’s life. The power to make a difference in a community. The power to change the world. The power to change yourself.

Update from Grace: Grace is really enjoying being home inPasadena. She is not sleeping very well, but other than that, things are fine. Most importantly, her appetite is excellent (of course, since I’ve been cooking for her twice! ). Still some problems with her stomach, but otherwise she is feeling fine. Hasn’t left the house yet, but tonight she’ll take a walk outside on the patio.

Johan Alwall

Grace wanted me to add: Thank you all so much for your posts! They really keep her going and bring her so much happiness!

Update from Grace: Finally back at home! Grace is really enjoying being back in her beloved house, sleeping in her own bed, and getting Johan’s awesome home made food (of course, her mom is doing most of the cooking, but I made quesadilla for lunch which was very appreciated)

Thanks everybody for all your support, and please don’t stop now – there is still a long process with second round of chemo and then the long and tough bone marrow transplant process. But for now, at least we get a week or two of nice rest at home.

Update from Grace: Discharge from hospital today! Grace’s white blood cell count is 1800 today (up from 1300 yesterday), and she is feeling much better! The doctors still warn us not to have too many visitors or be among crowds, but at least she gets to enjoy her home and take some walks in the beautifulCalifornia weather

Update from Grace: Still going in the right direction, today white blood cell count was 800! If things continue like this, she will be allowed to leave the hospital already on Friday, to get some rest at home. We still need to be careful with visitors, since even a white blood cell count of 1000 is very low immunization. So please continue your support by eating vegetarian, spreading the word about Power of 5, doing good deeds and sending prayers and blessings! In another two weeks or so, Grace will be back in the hospital for the start of the second round of chemo.