I got out of the hospital about noon last Wednesday, February 5, 2014. I was in exactly three weeks, including only two weeks post-transplant. This is such an incredible blessing since I was told to expect to be in four weeks total, as this is the norm. By the grace of God my body responded very well to the transplant, and thus I was in satisfactory condition to be released early.
Since being released I’ve been to the outpatient clinic each day for a checkup. Labs are drawn first. Then I get infusions of an anti-fungal medication and magnesium sulfate, plus blood or platelets, if needed. So far, my blood counts have been so good that I have required neither. In fact, my platelets are now over 90,000 for the first time since at least 2007. 140,000 is the low end of the normal range, so I’m getting there. Christi and I are at the hospital about four hours each day, so this takes up much of our time. Hopefully after next week the doctor will only require me to be there two or three days a week.
Overall, I am feeling well with no significant signs of GVHD. My energy is low and I take a nap or two most days. I have a few other mild symptoms, but nothing significant. My taste buds are still on strike, so food doesn’t taste like it should, making it harder to eat. Ice cream tastes like it’s supposed to, thank goodness. My weight was down to a whopping 133, but I’ve gained back a pound or two. My fighting weight is about 160. I don’t have much in the way of insulation, so I’m cold all the time. Sleep remains elusive, coming in one or two hour segments throughout the night. Benadryl helps a little. I could take something stronger, but I really want to avoid that if possible.
Other than going to the hospital and napping, the rest of my day is usually spent watching or playing with Emmy and Abrie. I don’t have the energy for much else yet, although I do try to get in a walk each day. I’m up to a mile and a half now. It’s wonderful interacting with my girls. I feel like I’ve missed so much lately. Abrie has developed her own little personality. She smiles at me a lot and sometimes will sit with me for a while. She’s usually pretty feisty and on the go. Emmy is nearing five and seems like such a big girl.
With each passing day, each lab report, each visit with the doctor, my hopefulness increases. Every day that I feel better physically, I grow more excited about the future. I’m only seventeen days post transplant, but hope isn’t bound by the calendar. My next bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for February 21. This is the first test to see how well the transplant is really working and if there is any cancer remaining in my marrow. I am hopeful that the results will be favorable, but, of course, on occasion I do have fearful thoughts. But mostly I have peace. Perhaps peace comes from simply not thinking about it, but frankly that’s virtually impossible. Maybe it’s denial, but that’s a river in Egypt (sorry, could resist the bad pun).
Whatever peace I have comes from trusting God, the source of hope. I’m not perfect at this. It’s a daily—sometimes an hourly—decision. Sure, it helps to have good lab reports and feel well, but ultimately those things hold no weight in the eternal. How will I feel if I get a bad report? We’ll see, but hopefully my default response will be to trust Him even more. He is the God of Peace and Healing and controls the rising and the setting of the sun, so in whom else would I place my trust?
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
I am thrilled to hear you are doing so well, sir! Always trust in our Lord, for he will never fail us in the hour of need! Enjoy this time with your precious ladies, too. This is a wonderful opportunity to make memories together!
Thanks and amen!
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.