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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: 1 hour ago | Replies (918)Comment receiving replies
@katgob @loribmt
Hello friends!
So good to hear you are both doing well!! Congratulations to you both on amazing health milestones!
I wanted to jump in and tell you that my husband, who had his BMT on June 12, 2024 recently had his MMR and had no reaction whatsoever!
We had his CD4 (helper cells measuring his immune system strength to build antibodies) tested before he had the immunization and it was in the safe zone over 200. Then he just went for it! Now he is all done with his childhood vaccinations. Bonus is that his most recent biopsy shows 100% chimerism, no blasts, and MRD negative. Amen and hallelujah, it’s truly a miracle.
In fact, the day we visited his hematologist to discuss the results and confirm he no longer needs maintenance chemo, we walked into the waiting room afterward and a guest musician was singing “I Can See Clearly Now”…..
Well, we both teared up right there, turned to each other and held on for a long time. It was quite a beautiful moment.
For me, amidst the best news we could possibly ask for, I find myself having some PTSD, with memories of the intensity of the whole experience, from diagnosis to treatment, the fears, anxiety, constant vigilance, and all consuming nature of caregiving. I think I’m just now allowing myself to process some of that. And of course, you are both familiar with the low level anxiety that will likely always remain with us as we face each day and the prospect of relapse (God bless you Lori for the grace and hearing the words from your doc that AML is not coming back!).
Thanks for being here, listening, and supporting so many of us. We belong to a special club of humans. ❤️
Wishing you both a safe and beautiful holiday weekend.
Mary
Replies to "@katgob @loribmt Hello friends! So good to hear you are both doing well!! Congratulations to you..."
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@mary612
Hi Mary and Dane! Because I know what you’ve both endured through Dane’s incredible medical adventure, I’m tearing up right along with you this morning. The news of his 100% Chimerism and MRD-neg is fantastic! We become like family here and when there’s good news like yours to share, it encourages all of us! 💕
I’m especially moved with your both hearing “I can see clearly now…” at such a poignant time after Dane’s appointment! Wow, huh? If that’s not a sign…and that song will forever be an underlying theme song in your hearts…the song of liberation! ☺️ Music can be so impactful on multiple levels! I have four songs that highlight 4 memorable times in my odyssey. As soon as I hear any one of them, I instantly recall the moment and milestone.
Dane, you’re a lucky duck for not having any issue with the MMR. I have to say, out of all the vaccinations…and you know how many that entailed…😳…the MMR knocked me on my butt for a couple of days! It’s good to be finished with those!
You brought up such an interesting discussion topic. The PTSD surrounding having not only AML but also the subsequent BMT. Well, actually any medical event can have its share of traumatic recall. It’s a heckuva a lot of emotions to process! Our bodies as well as our minds go through incredible trauma that’s hard to shake. You’re right, Mary, at the time of the event, you don’t have time to process what’s going on. You ride along a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows, with little time for self reflection. It’s like running on autopilot in stress mode for a couple of years! So all of those emotions get buried. Now, with the immediacy and intensity of the past few years behind you, there will be bubbles of trauma occasionally rising to the surface. Don’t be afraid to talk and reflect about what you’ve both been through. It is helpful for incremental healing. I still have moments that strike me out of the blue and it’s been 7 years. In fact this past week, because it was another anniversary of my BMT and journal entries are popping up in my online journal, I think of the enormity of what was endured, survived and overcome finally hit me like a ton of bricks. Had a couple of days where even Dishwasher soap commercials had me crying! ☺️
I looked at my husband, shaking my head, ’How did we even get through this?!” But we did! And you and Dane did and countless other families. We do what’s necessary to survive so that we can have this amazing 2nd chance at life. Ah, Chimeras and their families. Giggle.
Have a lovely holiday! Love and congratulations to you both.