Update 12
Hi everyone — it feels good to be writing this myself.
The last several weeks have been harder than I ever imagined, and quieter than I expected. Recovery isn’t dramatic most days. It’s slow, uneven, and full of little adjustments that don’t look like much from the outside but take real effort on the inside.
I’m at day 90 now, and my days have started to take on a rhythm. Mornings are usually my best time — I have more strength and feel more like myself. As the day goes on, my energy still fades. My red blood cells are still rebuilding, so afternoons and evenings can be harder, but that pattern has become familiar instead of discouraging.
One encouraging change is my appetite. I’m eating more than I have in a long time, with far less intestinal discomfort, which feels like real progress. I’m also drinking over two liters of water a day, something that didn’t feel possible not that long ago.
We’re getting ready to leave Cleveland and plan to be back in Cincinnati in time to celebrate the end of 2025 right where it began. I’m grateful to have this year behind us, and hopeful that 2026 will be a little less eventful — in all the best ways.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy New Year from both of us, with gratitude for all you’ve given us and hope for what’s ahead.
Love,
Lynda
Comments
41 responses
Hi Lynda,
Wonderful progress. Congratulations on your tenacity and strength. Thanks for sharing your journey and love the photos of you with your dog. I was reflecting back on my earliest memories of you and your siblings …in FL…on the beach in Hallendale? At Mabel and Sams FL place. We lived in Hollywood and my mom [Steffi] brought us to visit. And hearing stories from Aunt Mabel, Uncle Sam, about Ellen and Elliot…and so much more…..blessings for continued progress in your healing journey.
Love,
Cousin Hollie in Vermont…
My grandma Evelyn Calig and Your Grandpa Sam Calig were siblings…i think we are 2nd cousins??
I loved planning the Calig Cousins reunion with your mom back in 2007? 2008
Hello Holly,
Thank you for keeping in touch. It really meant a lot hearing from you and seeing your Facebook pictures of grandchildren are always fun.
We are finally home, couldn’t be more wonderful. I have to head back to Cleveland this Sunday for more testing, one test is to see if the cancer is no longer in my bone marrow.
The Calig Reunions were always fun and mom sure enjoyed planning them. I still have a Calig Reunion Shirt.
Have a wonderful New Year, Holly.
Lynda
Sorry about spelling your name wrong, Hollie❤️
This wonderful news! 2026 is going to be your year! I know you are ready to be home! Thank you for the update! We love you! Happy New Year! Love Marc & Donna
Thank you Donna. You and Marc have been so kind to me throughout this long journey of mine. It’s wonderful being back home again, sleeping in my own bed is the best.
Love you guys and have a happy New Year!🎆
Lynda
We are over the top thrilled to hear you’re doing so much better and will be headed home soon!! And you’ll be ready to watch the Buckeyes kick butt!! Continued prayers for steady improvement!! Sending you so much love and positive vibes! You’ve got this, girl! Love you!
Deb
I have felt your love and prayers throughout and can’t thank you enough for your kind cards. They always brought a smile to my face.
We are home in our comfy house, enjoying time on our couch and getting ready for a day of football. I head back to Cleveland this Sunday night for more testing on Monday. One test will tell us if there is any cancer left in my bone marrow, so keep your prayers coming.
Love you Deb❤️
🩷
Lynda, yes I saw you earlier today, but I want you and everyone on here to know how proud and how happy I am for you. You have been and continue to be so courageous. Seeing your progress now after seeing what you had gone through is amazing. I look forward to you getting back HOME where you belong with your wonderful family who miss you so very much! Let’s say goodbye to an unhealthy 2025 for you and bring in a wonderful and healthy 2026 and beyond. Sending ongoing prayers and hugs to you Lynda. Theiler, thank you for taking good care of her. I love you Lynda! Happy New Year!!
Jeff,
What would I have done without you these past three months? You truly have been my rock❤️ Your daily check-ins, baby sitting for me when Theiler had to go back to Cincinnati, flushing my pic lines, grocery shopping, your pep talks when I felt sad and you even cleaned our house! These were just a few among many more. You were there for me every step of the way throughout this long, painful process. I can’t thank you enough, Jeff. You are the best brother and please know how much I love you! ❤️💕
Thankful for the quiet rebuilding. . . prayers for continuing to know what to keep in place and discover what is needed for the best progress. . . your souls will feel blessed to be back in Cincinnati. . .
Thankful for the quiet rebuilding. . . prayers for continuing to know what to keep in place and discover what is needed for the best progress. . . your souls will feel blessed to be back in Cincinnati. . .
Thank you Deb for all your kind words and prayers. We already feel blessed to be back home in Cincinnati. It was a long 3 months away from friends and family. I’m ready for the flu and covid season to come to an end, so I can visit everyone with less worry of picking something up.
Happy New Year Deb❤️
Yay Lynda!
I am not great with words but I can honestly commend your positive attitude and I know that you and your family are the best medicine for your complete recovery. My experience helped me appreciate all of the little things in life and for that I will always be grateful. Come home so we can all celebrate YOU!
Much love!
Cindy,
Thank you and boy is it wonderful being home. I will need to head back to Cleveland this Sunday night for a day of testing on Monday. One test will tell us if there is any cancer left in my bone marrow so keep the prayers coming.
Have a wonderful New Year 2026!
Lynda
The smile on your face says it all! You’ve come such a long way and stayed strong & determined at every juncture. So incredibly happy you are home!!! Happy new year with lots of love🎉🎉❤️❤️🥰🥰
Ina,
Thank you for everything, the gift, flowers, meals, phone calls and visits. I am so fortunate to have friends like you. I can’t begin to thank you enough.
Have a Happy New Year! Hugs to both you and Jeff.
Lynda
I
Welcome home. I’m so glad you’re finally back. You’ve been through so much, and I hope this next chapter brings rest, healing, and lots of good days. We are always here for you. Keeping you in thought and prayer🩷
Happy New Year🎉.
Carla and Riley
Thank you Carla and Riley.
We made it home on Tuesday and it’s so wonderful being in my house. I have more healing needed, but I know it will be easier in my own home. It was a long three months in Cleveland I missed seeing my kids and grandchildren, but thank goodness for face time.
Happy New Year!
Lynda
Lynda I am so happy for you all that everything is going well for you and recovery! May 2026 be healthy and a happy new year for you and your family!🎆
Lynda:
Your progress is remarkable and I’m sure you are on a path to having this hurdle in the rear view mirror in 2026! Keep up the fight and know that there are so many folks pulling for you. Best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY new year!
Thank you Mark for keeping in touch with me through this 3 month process. It’s been rough, but I am finally home and couldn’t be happier.
I still have some challenging times ahead, lots of testing starting Monday to find out if there’s any sign of cancer in my bone marrow. It will be stressful waiting on the results.
Have a happy and healthy New Year. I am ready for 2026!
Welcome back to Cincinnati my Warrior friend!! Praying home will be a place of love & rejuvenation for the soul & body. I know this is a “sloth” recovery, however, so happy you have the hardest part in your past. Keep trusting your medical team & your supportive family as you build strength & get back to “normal.”💜
Thank you April for all of your kind words. I appreciate it. It’s good to be home. It has been a long three months in Cleveland.
I still have lots of visits back in Cleveland for testing, a few this coming Monday. They will be looking to see if there is any sign of
Cancer in my bone marrow. I could use your continued prayers.
Have a Happy, Healthy New Years.
Lynda
Welcome back to Cincinnati my Warrior friend!! Praying home will be a place of love & rejuvenation for the soul & body. I know this is a “sloth” recovery, however, so happy you have the hardest part in your past. Keep trusting your medical team & your supportive family as you build strength & get back to “normal.”💜
Wonderful news!! So glad you’re back home! Prayers for a happy and healthy 2026. We love you!!
Val,
Great to hear from you. How’s my sweet girl, Miss Ellie? I’ve missed seeing her. It’s been a long three months in Cleveland so being home couldn’t be better!
Have a Happy, Healthy New Year and give hugs to your family for me.
Lynda
So very very glad to hear from you in person and sounding so good!! I cannot imagine what you’ve been going through and continue to go through, but having recovered from much less invasive procedures I have the tiniest idea of what you describe…recovery is truly a grueling, albeit occasionally at times inspiring process! At some point in the coming year you’ll hopefully be at a point in this process when you might welcome visitors, and when that time comes I’d love to stop by and talk. Meanwhile take care, stay strong, and enjoy being home!❤️❤️Laura S (the dog lady😏)
Laura,
Thank you for reaching out. I’m so happy you were able to find our website. Yes, this has most definitely been a challenging journey getting to the other side of the stem cell transplant, but I feel confident that my body is healing from all the trauma it’s been through.
Once the weather breaks, I will be out with the dogs for some nice walks.
Thank you for following my journey.
Lynda
Lynda,
What wonderful news to hear that you are finally home and able to continue your recovery in the comfort of your own space. After 93 days, this feels like such a meaningful milestone.
You are truly strong and brave for all you have been through. I have been praying for you every single day, and it fills my heart to begin 2026 knowing that better days are ahead for you and your family. Please know that my prayers will continue for all of you.
Seeing your smiling face made my heart so full. I am especially praying for the very best results from your test on Monday.
Wishing you peace, healing, and strength as this new year begins. Happy New Year!
With love,
Debi
Debi,
I AM HOME and Life feels so good. Thank you for keeping in touch over the last three month. I truly appreciate your cards too which always brought a smile to my face.
I still have a ways to go until my immune system gets back to normal. Being winter, with all the flu and Covid, makes it hard for me to socialize, but once the weather breaks, I will be getting out and I would love to visit with you.
Have a happy, healthy New Year!
Lynda
This is wonderful news!! We are so excited to have you home and hope that you continue to have a healthy recovery. We have missed you especially Colton. If you guys need anything please let us know. We will continue to send lots of positive prayers your way. Hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year!!
Stephanie,
It’s great to be home. Unfortunately there will be times when I have to go back to Cleveland for tests. It was quite a long three months being away from everyone. I hope Colton is doing well. I’ve missed my buddy.
Happy New Year.
Lynda
Whoop whoop! So very thankful you are on a good path and feeling better! Here’s to a new year full of love, peace, health, and friendships! YOU ARE Always on my mind. Love you! Sandy
Dear Lynda and Greg – so glad you are home sweet home! Happy “New” Year – I believe it will be a “new” and very much better year for you both.
Lots and lots of love and prayers for you when you travel back to Cleveland for tests – I am believing for good news!!!
If you need anything, I’m right across the “Pike” so don’t hesitate to ask, please!
Debi
Dear Lynda and Greg – so glad you are home sweet home! Happy “New” Year – I believe it will be a “new” and very much better year for you both.
Lots and lots of love and prayers for you when you travel back to Cleveland for tests – I am believing for good news!!!
If you need anything, I’m right across the “Pike” so don’t hesitate to ask, please!
Debi
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with everyone! I think about you daily and how much I cherish our friendship. I’m so happy to see that you’re making progress and that your beautiful spirit is shining through it all.
It must feel so good to be heading home for 2026. Wishing you continued healing and the happiest New Year to you and your family.
Your friend,
Ally
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for sharing this journey with all of us. I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well. You have put in so much work time and energy as has the rest of your family. It’s wonderful to hear how far you have come after such a struggle. We will continue to think of you and pray for you every day. The whole family sends their love!
lynda lynda lynda! so happy to see your smiling face and hear your remarkable update! i think of you often! sending as many good prayers and healing vibes as i can possibly muster for continued success and good health! happy and healthy to you and theiler! you deserve it!
Hey, Lynda!
So glad to hear you’re back in Cincy for the new year. Sayonara 2025! 2026 is going to be a good year. It’s great to see your smiling face and beloved pug.
Aiden still brings out the candles you gave him from the Special Services conference table all those years ago each Christmas. 🤣
Hang in there and MUCH LOVE!
This is the best news to hear. You look beautiful and we love seeing your smiling face (and your sweet pug!) Maggie prays for you all the time and misses your time together! Keep fighting and rest, rest, rest! We love you! ♥️Bitsy & Maggie