Transplant Time

[PaulS]

Hi - Tracey, sorry about your delay - hopefully they'll fix you up and you'll be good to go - my transplant was delayed a few times for donor and heart issues - sitting in limbo can be tough - but try and enjoy your reprieve. Thanks for asking about me.

Dan - the shower advice was excellent - No matter how bad I feel going in, the shower always makes me feel better - just letting the warm water run over me is somehow very therapeutic.

Well, everyone was right about the days following transplant being difficult. The last few days have been hard - I've been indescribably fatigued, not much of an appetite and generally feeling miserable. I feel a bit better this morning and hopefully it will keep up. Paul

[traceyn11]

Hi Paul - Glad you were able to post this morning! So sorry the last few days have been so hard. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better today. Hopefully you will continue to feel better every day. I am going to remember Dan's advice about the shower too.

I didn't realize your transplant had been delayed a few times. I did finally get a little bit of good news yesterday - the bmb I had 2 weeks ago showed my blasts have gone from 14% to 10% since the last one I had in March.

[PaulS]

Hi - Tracey I'm sorry for your delay - hopefully they will fix you up and get you back on track. I was delayed for several months - waiting in limbo can be tough.

The last few days have been difficult for me - extraordinarily tired, not much appetite, miscellaneous pains (more related to the bed then anything else I think). My counts are still down around zero and I'm praying to engraft. Meanwhile pain meds help somewhat but I'm still quite exhausted most of the time.

Dan's suggestion about showering was a good one - although it takes all my energy to get into the shower, I always feel good with the water cascading down my face.

I'll try and keep you posted as things move along. Its been one week since the transplant!
Paul

[traceyn11]

Hi Paul,
Will be praying for engraftment! Thanks for posting. It's good to know what to expect. Hope you are feeling better every day!

I don't really mind the delay. It gives me more time with my family. I do have to give myself IV meds - but I am getting used to that.

[PaulS]

Tracey - that is good news about your blasts going down -are they doing anything get them down further? I understand that blasts below 10 improve the outcomes - so maybe you'll be able to get them down some more.

Sorry for posting twice - I didn't realize there was a second page and though I had messed up my initial post. Did I mention that my brain is very fuzzy?

I started nuepogen tonight - its supposed to speed up engraftment - I'll feel much better when I see signs the transplant is working.

Best to all
P.

[traceyn11]

Hi Paul - No, they aren't. I think it must have been the only good thing that came out of the 2 rounds of Vidaza I had. I was just relieved to find out that they had not increased - especially with all my infections.

I am not surprised your brain is fuzzy. I know chemo does that to you. Hope you continue to feel better and that the neupogen helps speed engraftment.

[HopeW]

Paul, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cheryl C]

I'm reading your posts with interest, Paul, and am really happy to read that things are going to plan so far. I'm continuing to pray for you, along with the other BMT/SCT friends on this forum and those who are struggling for answers.

[DanL]

Paul,

Just wanted to pass along some positive thoughts and strength. Those few days prior to engraftment are really difficult sometimes. I was a little bit of a late bloomer on the neutrophils and was around day +26 before I hit 1000. Even getting on the positive side of the neutrophils helped my energy level and overall well being.

Dan