It is hard to believe Christmas is here.  I’ve mentioned to some friends that, since my sister Deana’s myeloma diagnosis on April 27 this year, I’ve had little sense of the passage of seasons and holidays. I suspect many of you understand. 

Since my last column, Deana, who underwent a stem cell transplant the day before Thanksgiving, has been released from the hospital. So Christmas came early for us. 

When Deana was admitted for her transplant, one of the doctors came by the first day (Day Minus Two) and told us that it was very likely they would discharge Deana on Day 14 or 15 after the transplant. We were very surprised at this possibility, as the original plan was for her to stay in the hospital for a month.

At the transplant class, the coordinator mentioned a shorter stay. However, since Deana had heard from her doctor -- and had it repeated by the coordinator we met on the day she was cleared for transplant -- that we needed to be prepared for a month’s stay, we did just that.

Deana and I decided that we wouldn’t mention this new information to anyone as we didn’t want to get hopes up.  Better to under-promise and over-deliver, as the business mantra goes.

Although Deana at first thought the time in the hospital would be akin to a month’s vacation, she was getting cabin fever after only a few days.  Thus, it was motivating for her to know, in the back of her mind, that the time in the hospital could be cut in half if things went well,.

Time and again, Deana was told she was the least sick person in the stem cell transplant unit, and all hospital staff who worked with her exuded optimism that she’d be gone before the Christmas party, including the visit from Santa, on December 14.  Turns out, this optimism was warranted.

On Day 14, Deana emailed me to let me know that it looked like she’d be discharged the next day.  Just in case things didn’t go as planned, we continued to keep mum. Keeping good secrets is hard for me, because when I’m excited, I desperately want to share good news.

During Deana’s hospitalization, our mother would visit in the late morning on most days.  She’d bring two-and-a-half year-old Gregory so he could spend time with his mommy prior to his afternoon nap. These visits certainly helped mother and son!

On the morning of Day 15, Deana called home to tell Mom that she should hold off on the morning visit, as it looked like she’d be released in the afternoon, so Mom would be needed to come get her.  Needless to say, our mother was most excited – and it was really terrific to be able to give Mom a good surprise.

Deana has been home for 10 days, and she is doing well.  Her oncologist saw her last week and told her he is very pleased with her progress.  She’s going to get to enjoy Christmas with her family, which I do believe will hold very special meaning this year.

The next oncologist appointment is December 28, at which time the next bone marrow biopsy will be scheduled.  It appears that we’ll have to wait until early February for a report on where we stand in our battle against myeloma. I have a good feeling, of the women’s intuition sort, that we are close to putting this disease in the best place we can at this time – remission.

As I prepare for the holiday week, there is no need for presents under my tree. I am grateful for the gift of Deana’s life and her presence in mine.  I am grateful for the work of the researchers making inroads into better treatments and, ultimately, a cure -- which is a gift to humanity that can never be repaid.   

If there has been one gift to come out of my experiences of the last eight months, it has been the gift of greater perspective about what’s truly important.

My very best to you and your families as you celebrate the holidays and prepare for the arrival of 2012.