When the option of a Stem Cell Transplant came up last May to halt the progression of my Multiple Sclerosis, I would have never imagined what we would be dealing with now. We clearly knew that they were risks involved, but out of all bone marrow transplants, the autologous (where you use your own donor cells) are considered to go the most smoothly. In fact, for autologous, they estimate your hopital time as 30-days and then a pretty steady recovery. For allogenic, where you have a donor, they predict a 100-day hospital/recovery.
Well, I am at Day 92, thankfully home from Seattle, but still having IV treatments 3 day a week. Fortunately, they are supposed to finish by the end of next week if we can keep the virus load down. Even with the virus disappearing, I am still having gut issues. It is very rare for autologous transplant, but they think that my system was so beaten down from the chemo that my cells didn't recongnize eachother. The treatment is just a lot of Predinisone and so far it is woking. . .I ate a little bit this weekend and gained one pound! They've put me on a newborn diet (white rice, bread, potatoes, applesause and canned peaches. I can slowly introduce more complex things but this is fine for now.)
Paul will finally make it back to work next work! His colleagues have been absolutely amazing through this whole ordeal! They have supported us in every possible way. We have received gifts and flowers and offers of paid sick time and prayers and dog-walkers! I cannot begin to thank you all enough!
Next week, I have some wonderful friends and famly who will transport me to/from appointments.
I know this was a long blog, but I wanted to let everyone know that there is a slight recovery happening and thank you for your continued love and prayers!!
And, the hair is beginning to grow. . .slightly:)
Thanks for the update MB - and thankful for baby steps moving forward...they'll be bigger steps soon. You look gorgeous by the way!
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