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My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy | Last Active: Oct 2 3:09pm | Replies (781)Comment receiving replies
Lori,
I will look to wear a mask in my back garden area when sweeping or doing anything with the soil. I did not wear a mask on the plane, as part of me wanted to try my new system. I had a window seat both ways and did not note sick people around me. I did spend most of my time outside and if inside I rarely jammed next to people. I stayed in my own room at night.
This morning the lung released the phlegm as i figured would happen. Oddly, I had few colds the previous decades before cancer, so this think made me feel like my old self. Not a transplant patient. That is what is scary. I need to gently tell myself and write on my wall calendar that i am a transplant patient.
My Follow-up last Friday was good. I had more of my survivorship tests like the urine and a few more extra blood tests. My neutrophils were on the lower side, so my NP felt this 'cold" i was in the middle of might be the reason. I did not have a fever or any other symptoms. Platelets were at 275 and all else was in the norm.
My hair is growing and as i continue to do well, staying on connect reminds me the road i traveled. I cannot forget i had breast cancer, the transplant follow-ups are now moving to every 6 weeks. My next BMB will be my reminder.
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Hi Kathy, Just a reminder that people who may be transmitting diseases don’t always look sick. I know you’ve had most of your vaccinations but not sure you’ve had your MMR innoculations yet. Measles is the most contagious communicable disease and can live up to 2 hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area.
(https://www.nfid.org/resource/frequently-asked-questions-about-measles/
So while I understand your wanting to test out your new immune system, illnesses and viruses like Measles, Covid, RSV, along with fungal infections can cause a world of hurt or even be fatal with a BMT patient.
We don’t have to live in fear but we do have to live in respect of these diseases.
Another thing to consider, we are always at risk for gvhd. Even though you’ve not had any flares, sometimes an illness can trigger an unexpected gvhd episode because of the degree of inflammation from an illness.
So please, please wear a mask or have your neighbor clean up their own pigeon’s droppings. Psittacosis is a disease caused by bacteria found in bird droppings and usually impacts the lungs. I’m 6 years post BMT and still wear a mask any time I’m working in the garden, pulling weeds, deadheading flowers. But I don’t dig in the dirt or rake lawn/garden debris. That was drilled into me repeatedly to avoid. Just wanted to pass that along. I want you to remain safe. ☺️