Howdy from Jerry - Day 35

Rumor has it that nurse Sam has been seen drinking margaritas on Scottsdale Rd. and partying at "W" at night . Another sighting was at the gay pride parade in Toronto riding a fire truck and later hosting a pool party and drinking fine wines in the Niagara peninsula. The call of Stampede has brought her home, but her Stampede obligations have kept her too busy to get to her blog duties as of yet so I am providing the update.

(Editors note (aka Sam): I apologize for not getting this out when my Dad actually sent it to me... I was too busy pretending to be a cowgirl and consuming adult beverages at the Stampede.... So the dates he mentions may be off by a few days...but you'll get gist, I believe in you)

It has been 35 days since Transplant Day. Here are some of the good things that have happened so far:

I was discharged 2 weeks ago ahead of schedule. I am now at home and go to the BMT clinic twice a week. My oncologist tells me that I am progressing well at this time - no infections or signs of graft vs. host disease, where my body rejects the transplant, other than a minor skin rash which is considered good (its a sign the new blood is seeing my old blood cells as 'enemies', and fighting them off).

My blood counts are close to normal levels now, most of my mouth and throat sores are gone, I've maintained my weight better than most, and I have been able to become more active, getting short walks in twice daily.

That being said, I still feel crappy - there are so many side effects from the transplant and the numerous drugs I am taking. Eating is a problem as I haven't had an appetite yet. The radiation makes food taste metallic, so it definitely closer to taking medicine than eating for enjoyment.

The doctors tell us this is the most intense and aggressive cancer treatment they give to cancer patients. So post transplant recovery will take quite a bit longer than recovery from my previous chemotherapy treatments. I am extremely tired all the time and this extreme fatigue is expected to last for at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Things are still very early and it is too soon to tell whether the transplant was successful. The next 65 days are critical as most complications arise the first 100 days post transplant. In fact, complications are likely and it will be a matter of managing the hiccups and taking it one day at a time.

So bottom line - so far so good.

On behalf of myself, nurses Kelly and Sam, thanks again for all your continued support and positive thoughts.