Your eyes do not deceive you. I am actually writing a post on my blog. It's funny that with all the time in the world on my hands, I can't manage to crank out an update or two.
There's nothing new to report on the transplant front other that I am 100% donor. This is as it should be. Mr. Donor must have other pressing things to do, because he's not making red cells, which I sorta need. Right now I'm getting transfusions every three weeks.
My biggest complaint remains nausea/vomiting/weight loss/lack of motivation. If I feel bilious, I have to pop an ativan and wait 30 minutes for it to kick in. It usually works, but inertia sets in and I find myself washed up on the couch watching countless episodes of NCIS.
So no news really. I want to thank all of you who've been checking up on me. I appreciate the phone calls, emails and blog comments. And thanks George. Maybe I can hire you.
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Adirondack Mountains, Feb. 2007
Tale of a Cord Blood Transplantee Who Relapses and Goes on to Have a Matched Unrelated-Donor Transplant
The Weight
Adirondack Mountains, Feb. 2007
ABOUT ME
In March 2006, I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Life as I knew it came to a crashing halt. After enduring a month in the hospital where I received intense chemotherapy, I was declared "in remission." I had three additional treatments and remained cancer-free until May 2007, when I relapsed.
My only shot at survival was to have a stem cell transplant. However, my brothers' immune markers didn't match mine, and an international search of bone marrow registries found no perfect matches. A transplant using the blood from two umbilical cords was recommended. I grasped at this straw in September 2007. It seemed to work.
This blog tells the story of my transplant and recovery, replete with outrageous slings and arrows. The expression "blood is thicker than water" has new meaning for me. I remained alive due to the blood of strangers, two of them, both male. Thanks guys.
The plot thickened when I relapsed 19 months into my new remission and had to go through the same rigamarole once more. This time, I received stem cells from a matched adult donor who was identified last go round but didn't fit into the necessary time frame. Charles Dickens could have fun with this, the stuff of pulp fiction.
I remain in remission 4 years later. My donor keeps leukemic cells in check but finds interesting ways to attack my body. Chronic graft versus host disease keeps me firmly entrenched in the medical world. And so it goes.
My only shot at survival was to have a stem cell transplant. However, my brothers' immune markers didn't match mine, and an international search of bone marrow registries found no perfect matches. A transplant using the blood from two umbilical cords was recommended. I grasped at this straw in September 2007. It seemed to work.
This blog tells the story of my transplant and recovery, replete with outrageous slings and arrows. The expression "blood is thicker than water" has new meaning for me. I remained alive due to the blood of strangers, two of them, both male. Thanks guys.
The plot thickened when I relapsed 19 months into my new remission and had to go through the same rigamarole once more. This time, I received stem cells from a matched adult donor who was identified last go round but didn't fit into the necessary time frame. Charles Dickens could have fun with this, the stuff of pulp fiction.
I remain in remission 4 years later. My donor keeps leukemic cells in check but finds interesting ways to attack my body. Chronic graft versus host disease keeps me firmly entrenched in the medical world. And so it goes.
5 comments:
Thanks for the update. I kept checking and was getting a little concerned, although I figured you were probably just very tired and not sick. Congrats on the 100 percent! All that other stuff is tres yucky, but remember, it will pass. My donor and your donor are both being pokey. My doctor says production of rbcs (and in my case also platelets) will eventually kick in, and to be patient. I'm sure your doctor says the same thing. But it is definitely frustrating. One step at a time!
good to hear from you PJ! I was getting worried with no postings...so glad you are at full donor status! I know patience is tough at a time like this, but it is necessary, nonetheless. Take care, my friend, and give your RBCs a good talking to and tell them to get with the program!! God bless!!
PJ,
Great news on the 100% donor. Keep the remote control and ativan handy. And I hope your Yankees roll.
Jim
Hey PJ. Thanks for the update. 100% donor is great news. I am sure Mr Donor will be pumping out those red cells soon. But in the meantime, keep doing what you're doing. It's all good.
Much love,
Sam, Jack & Poppy xxxx
Good to hear from you. My hubby is going through treatment for ALL and he spends his days watching countless episodes of NCIS!
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