On Sunday, January 10, 2016. We had the blessed opportunity to celebrate 10 years of a new life for our amazing friend, Jaymie M.
It was a surprise party at Portovino Restaurant with her family and close friends.
Jaymie was 23 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute
Myelogenous Leukemia. She went through high doses of chemotherapy
and three days straight of full body radiation but despite all the side effects she had encountered, the treatment wasn't
enough and she needed a transplant. Unfortunately, her only brother was not a match for bone-marrow. Her prognosis was only nine months to live...and she was so young with a fired-spirit.
It wasn't fair. What did she do to deserve it? Why Jaymie? Why would God take her away from us? But Jaymie never questioned, "why me?" In fact, she told us that she was probably the strongest one among us girls who'd be able to handle it. How amazing is it that she can make any unfortunate situation turn for the better all the time? That's when I began believing - "IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT, GOD WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT."
Jaymie's oncologist suggested an
experimental stem cell transplant from a baby’s umbilical cord and the procedure was done, under consent, on
January 10 2006. She received her transplant and has now been in remission for ten years!
But you became a bridesmaid at our weddings.
You got married, yourself, to such an amazing man, Chris....who has been by your side as a rocksteady partner.
You became godmother to our children who love you so dearly.
You work at LeWindsor which totally suits your character.
You've gotten to travel the world when there was a time you couldn't leave your isolation room.
All our memories among the girls would not be complete without you, (hundreds!!!). ..coffee and cake, dancing, bummin', shopping, breakfasts....VEGAS!!!!"
Jaymie, your courage and hopeful spirit is immense - it was during your toughest times when I realized you are the strongest person I know. So I won't recount all the suffering you had gone through because today we are celebrating your victory! You've heard it numerous times how much you inspire us...but its incredible how your story has inspired hundreds of people you don't even know!
Thank you for bringing awareness about leukemia to thousands who didn't know about it before. The fundraising for research for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada are so meaningful to all of us - because of you. So many have donated blood or their baby's umbilical cord because you were on their minds. Continue on being "An Earth Angel"..."
See videos here:
I heard this song on the morning of Jaymie's celebration and thought of her. I sang it with all my heart and ended up crying... I had a speech prepared for her but was too emotional that evening to speak...so I gave it to her instead...(but I sang this to her at the corner of the dessert table)
Keep
smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you cab
always count on me...for sure.
That's what
friends are for.
Through
good times and bad times,
I'll be on
your side forever more
That's what
friends are for....
MCB xo
Addendum: Just a month later, Jaymie introduced her company to the world: Impatient Design. She designs gowns so that "patients could still keep their independence while in the hospital." Jaymie believes "If these gowns can bring a smile to a child’s face or make an adult patient feel a little more like themselves, then we have done our job."
Bravo, hun!
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