My Journey of Healing and Faith {Regina Karnafel}

This week has been full of appointments. I believe 8 from tuesday - thusday, 3 days? Monday I was told that I would be admitted to the hospital by the end of this month. 31st of July to be exact. And yes, that day will be the day that I get admitted and start chemotherapy. Transplant is scheduled for August 5th. I am so thankful for my brother who is willing to be a donor, as well as any friend or family member would do for me. I am very blessed with the best people in my life. Since I have agreed to transplant, I lay my life down and it is in Gods hands. What ever happens from here is up to him. I believe he is with me, he will help me, he will protect me. He says he loves his children, and I know healing will come and I will be restored.
Doctors say I will be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks after transplant and then will be home for a few months. Total this should all take 6-12 months for full recovery. I can't wait for life to go back to normal :)
I had another bone marrow biopsy yesterday, that really hurt the first time so I asked for extra medication. I ended up getting 3 ml's of morphine and some lorazepam for anxiety. My husband of course was holding my hand the whole time. He's the best.
Today I had 19 tubes of blood taken from me for tests, as well as a platelet transfusion since my count is down to 11. I had bleeding in 3 parts of my body that just hasn't been able to heal. And this canker sore in my mouth is driving me crazy for the last 2 weeks and it wont heal. Hopefully this biopsy scar will heal and fade. By next friday I don't think I will be getting anymore transfusions for a while.. not sure, need to ask. I will miss all the nurses I have become friends with. All the labs techs who see me every other day know me very well and they have become close to me. The transfusions nurses too are all so sweet and have always been so caring and helpful these past 8 months. I do plan on vising them after this is all over.

So after all of those pokes and transfusions can you guess how many times I have been poked in the arms in the last 8 months?
lets see..... about 110-1130 lab test... 35-40 transfusions, so ya, about 160-170 pokes. My poor veins! :/
But thank you God for these veins, they are beautiful and don't look abused. They have healed and will heal.

So yes, now you can see why all of these nurses know me so well. And I hope I leave a mark on their lives. Whats the point of knowing them without spreading some love to them, especially since I receive so much love from out heavenly father. I am so thankful that I have been able to still enjoy life this past year. I got to live with stability off the transfusions. Thank God for doctors, technology, modern medicine. I actually just got my diploma this last week for finishing my second year of Bible College, Yes, I was able to go to school 2 times a week during all of this! Thank you God. Also got to see One Direction perform last week (hehe). That has been a dream for a while since they are my favorite band, yes I sound like a little girl haha. And I get to celebrate my husbands birthday this weekend, he will turn 24. I love him so much, I cant wait to make him feel as special as he really is. Coming back to treatment, I am worried about the chemo and loosing my hair, but this needs to happen and it will if it's Gods will. It will grow back more beautiful... Have to stay positive!
I will lose weight and muscle. At about 104 pounds now I hope I won't look too scary lol. I pray for fast recovery if everything goes as planned. But I am still praying for God to cover me with his mercy, to come out to meet and help me. He is the healer, I trust him. Please pray for my faith, strength, healing, recovery, and hope.
xoxo

This picture was taken after I got released home after being in the hospital for 3 days 7 months ago. I just got poked a lot, it was't as bad as it seems. Looking at my hands now, they are beautiful as if they have never been poked. Thank you Lord. So as I have told my doctors that I am going forward with the transplant, one thing remains, do I want to harvest my eggs?

I started thinking about this and started doing research. My insurance will not cover it and it will cost anywhere from $6500.00-$10,000.00

Even though the chance for infertility is a possibility I didn't want to take the risk of never having kids. I mean my husband and I just got married 9 months ago and we already want kids. If I go through with the transplant and undergo chemotherapy they said there's a chance of not getting pregnant after, and if you do try, you should wait 2-3 years so that your children don't get born with defects or health problems. This can occur from the high doses of chemotherapy. We were like what!? 2-3 years? It was heart breaking to hear, but I did not let the thoughts bring me down. Our God is God, everything is possible with him. I believe he will still bring us those blessings. In his time whatever his will is. I just know that when he does bless us, we will be so overfilled with joy, it will be the happiest moment in our life. Just because we have heard the words, 'you might never have children."

Also, since my platelets are so low, usually under 30k, I am constantly getting transfusions. My body isn't producing blood or platelets so I keep going because of transfusions. I would need to undergo a surgery for harvesting. They would have to cut me open and do the procedure and then let me heal for a couple weeks before staring with the transplant. This could be dangerous. If it takes my body 2 weeks to heal a scrape, will I be okay to move on to chemo?? This is a risk also that is saying I shouldn't harvest. But since I will be saying no to this, the transplant will move forward, and that means it will happen within the next 3-4 weeks. This whole treatment can take up to 6 months with recovery. I am trying to stay calm, trying to stay strong. I will be positive. I know that no matter what God is with me. If it's his will for me to go through with this, he will bless the hands of the doctors, if he will have mercy on me, I will be forever thankful. I guess I'm just selfish about my flesh, I don't want to lose my hair, I don't want to look in the mirror and see a stranger looking back at me. I just turned 25 this week, I wanna be able to spend this 1st year of marriage making the best memories. Instead its filled with painful moments that only happen in nightmares. I don't know how my husband is so strong, Thank the Lord for such an amazing life partner, he cherishes me like a precious jewel, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for me. He cradles me like a child, cherishes me like his most precious treasure. I love him so much. I wish this all never happened but I cannot not be thankful for such a trial. It has brought me so much closer to God, I have learned so much, life is so different in my eyes. I thank God for everything now. How amazing and beautiful is life? Health is so important, this body is the only home I have on this earth, people take care of yourselves! enjoy everyday. I know that after life was taken away from me and given back, only then will I learn how to live. I live by faith, I am holding on to faith. I know that through God, anything is possible.

-xoxo reggie

Instagram posts of some of my most favorite outfits.

top: Mango

Skirt: tj max

dress: Nordsrom

sweater: loft

under shirt: j crew

skirt: juicy couture

purse: tj max

scaft: hand knit

shirt: loft

skirt: boutique

shoes: nordstrom rack

neclace: Francesca's

beanie: zumies

sweater: h&m

pants: sincerely Jules

bag: forevery 21

necklace: Francesca's

shirt: Ralph lauren

jeans: gap

boots: DSW shoes

hat: forever 21

shirt: nordstrom

jacket: marshalls

pants: sincery Jules

shoes: micheal korhs

jacket: rachel roy

dress: bebe

shoes: enzo angiolini

purse: ivanka trump

shirt: forever 21

pants: macys

purse: vera wang

dress: zara

shoes: social society

purse: aldo

dress: target

jumper: sincerely Jules

shoes: social society

bag: forever 21

whole outfit from marshalls

jacket: forever 21

tights: forever 21

dress: charlotte russe

my dress: free people

swimsuit: victoria secret

The posts that i have posted earlier I have written a while ago, the one about aplastic anemia I wrote a few months ago but haven't wrote much since then. Yes it was over 7 months ago that I first started feeling sick and was admitted to the hospital. Ever since then my life hasn't been the same. I did not want to think about it, I didn't want anyone to worry about me, especially my family and mostly my parents. I started seeking advise of friends, family, social media. Many people suggested to see a naturopath doctor and so I desperately took this chance. After a few appointments my naturopath found somethings here and there but nothing that brought my blood back to normal. I did labs and found out I have a sensitivity to gluten, sugar, and all these foods I have been eating all my life. My body had high levels of mercury, lead, yeast, and pesticides. Many things were way off. She started to try to heal me from the inside, tried to boost my immune system. She found a trace of schistosomiasis which is caused from a bite or sting from a slug or snail found in tropical areas. This is why we believe something got triggered in my system while I was on my honeymoon in mexico. My immune system was already low from all the damage I had done to it, as well as wedding stress and something went off to start the auto immune. During all these appointments I was still seeing my oncology doctor at Kaiser. I was getting labs done every other day (4 times a week) to check my blood. At first I was getting blood transfusions once every week and then I started having to have them every week. I would need both platelets and red blood so sometimes I would get transfusions twice a week. I have had my doctor tell me that if my platelets are below 10,000 I can have bleeding in the brain, brain damage, a stroke, or even death. That day my labs showed my platelets were at 3,000. The average person has 150k-450k. Of course I had to go to the emergency again. It was at times like these that I felt that the Lord was with me, he was carrying me. There have been many times when I would be scared and he would fill me with explainable peace. I am so grateful to him.

Another thing I am grateful for is the fact that i can LIVE. I don't have anemia symptoms. I can perform most daily duties, I only have mild symptoms of fast heart beat with activity and some pale skin. Doctors tell me my white blood count is usually below 2 and that I am at high risk for some serious problems if I get sick or hurt. I have been around sick people and have not gotten sick. My body has been able to fight off colds, my immune system is surprisingly very strong.
However, over time and receiving all the transfusions I started to feel pain in my heart and my stomach area. Doctors tested me and found I had very high amounts of iron in my body from the transfusions and the iron had no where to go. Eventually it can cause more serious problems to my health. They put me on a new medication called Desferal. It's an injection/pump I wear over the course of 8 hours at night while I sleep. It's not the most pleasant experience to poke yourself 5 times a week and sleep with a needle in your belly. The Lord gave me strength. I started this almost 3 weeks ago and I know it's only temporary so I'm okay with it...Just now I'm getting poked 10-12 times a week. I pray that God will heal my scars. I pray in Jesus name that once I will be restored that I will be renewed and whole.
I have agreed to go forward with the transplant. I know that God works through doctors and he told me not to be stubborn about treatment because he will do some things through them. I have no idea what his plans are for me but I believe he will heal me. Something in my heart is keeping me calm, no matter what the internet says about this dangerous and very rare disease. The Lord of Lords is above all, by his strips I am healed.

Waves of Love- The Coast Adventure

a road trip turned from a simple day at the beach,
to one of the most memorable road trips ever.
Yanik was staying at a beach house in Lincoln City and wanted me to come to Pacific City so that we can go hang out at a beach. We left there around 4pm with the destination of Cannon beach going north on Highway 101. But with an open mind, we were able to have a wonderful time winding through small towns. Any of you that enjoy the beach should really open up your options on choice of beaches. Yes, the typical day at the beach is Seaside here on the coast, but there are many wonderful beaches and sights to see. I have captured only a few but will post more next time we go as we continue our journey. Highway 101 is quite picturesque, I would recommend these stops to anyone, especially to couples who want to have sparks fly as the sun sets over the horizon.
Lets give you glimpse of the happiness I encountered with this lovely future of mine.

These first couple of pictures are in a little town called Garibaldi. This train does not move, but its an old train that is a cute sight to see. Tickets are sold to go inside and have a tour, however we didn't have time for that.

Once we drove out we saw a dock to the left of us. We had to pull over to check it out.

It was on the Garibaldi marina and it was a crabbing dock. It was filled with people fishing and crabbing away. All you crab lovers, this long strip of bridge is a good way to catch some crabs! If not, just up the road there are boat rentals for $45 an hour. Anyone can crab all they want, an the equipment is included!

About half a mile past this dock there was this viewpoint. Absolutely breath taking! never hesitate to pull over to take pictures. You will never regret it, especially when looking back at the memories.

After a couple more quick stops we finally got to cannon beach!

This place seriously has the best pizza in the world!

If your ever in the area and are hungry, this place is a must.

Right across from the pizza is a candy store. These caramel apples are the best ones I've had. Only $3.

Cannon beach is pretty small but there are many things to do. There is a mall, shopping center, boutiques, parks, and much more. The most important of all is the beach itself.

We love to make a fire right on the beach and watch the sunset. This is a MUST for every couple!

We go to the cove, its to the very right and its by a biiiiggggg hill and so its not windy most of the time (perfect for a fire). We get wood and supplies before and ALWAYS bring blankets. Just for the coziness :) Its NEVER packed so privacy is usually guaranteed.

Best part of the is watching the sun go down with a loved one, be it family, a friend, or a spouse. The beautiful view will want you to draw closer and bundle up.

He loves me :) Sweetest most romantic person I know.

Thank you for stopping by! Hope you can one day explore as we did :)

Hey there :)
Im a lover of clothes and a lover of fashion. Here are just a few outfit that I have worn recently.
Most are from Mango, jcrew, Ruche, Forever21, H&M, and New York & Co.
Enjoy!