Sunday, January 27, 2008

Amazing


On January 26th, 2008 I received my new cells from my donor. She was very generous and gave me 4.9 million of her stem cells. The nurse came in with the bag and I got to hold it. We took lots of pictures before it was time to hang it. When the Chaplin blessed the cells that's when it hit me. I was getting this transplant and it is going to cure me. So far this transplant has been nothing like I expected. I thought I would be weak and sick from the chemotherapy. Other than a few days of nausea I feel great. This is the best I have felt in a long time. I pray that I will tolerate this well and be able to recover quickly. Now I have to wait to see if my donor cells engraft. That should take 10-14 days. Right now the cells are making their way thru my body to my marrow and getting ready to get to work. Once my white count starts to recover I will be able to go home. I will be followed closely for a few weeks to make sure I don't get graft vs. host disease. If I do then I will be on medication to control it. The doctors say that a little graft vs. host is good because it means the cells are doing their job, but it can get out of control if you don't watch it. It will take a year for my immune system to be back to normal. So for the next year I will have to be careful that I don't catch anything. I hope to be back working with my kids in August. I really need to get back to my normal life.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sam!

I am so happy for you. I am teary reading your post for Sunday! Blessings to you sweetheart. That which does not kill us, will make us stronger. I am a firm believer in that. You will be in our prayers always. I am so happy that you are on your way to recovery!

(((HUGS)))
Christy

Anonymous said...

glad the end to your nightmare is around the corner!! See you soon!