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My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?
The past two years have been a storied journey of facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia and a subsequent bone marrow transplant. Being in a high risk category for relapse for AML, a transplant was necessary. Simply put, it would provide a completely new immune system to fend off any remaining AML cells lurking about in my body, after my original factory installed version had become defective in recognizing them. My husband and I shared a collective sigh of relief with the news that my latest bone marrow biopsy, at 19 months post transplant, showed no AML or the mutation which caused it. My new immune system is working!
While celebrating the results with my husband and a pizza, it occurred to me how far I’ve come and how life has changed in the past two years since the onset of AML and the transplant. There have been some challenging transitions but none insurmountable. Of course, life as a genetically modified organism, with two sets of DNA and a new blood type, can have its turf wars with a few GvHD issues, adaptations to medications and such. But I’m incredibly happy to have a second chance with this generous gift of life from an anonymous donor, and through the medical expertise of my amazing BMT-team at Mayo-Rochester. Hopefully I can meet my donor someday to thank him in person. I did send him a card right after the transplant giving him my “undying” gratitude!
We’ve all been given a gift of life. I’d love to hear your story. Lori
What diagnosis brought you to a BMT?
How has it impacted your life and that of your caregiver?
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I agree with what others have said about how slow the recovery is after the transplant! When my numbers finally started rising, this was such a SLOW process. I think I was hoping that the transplant would bring me back to normal quite quickly, but I spent months in bed, too tired to do anything.
I also kept getting random fevers. One in particular was 3.5 months after my transplant on Thanksgiving day. It was my first real outing to spend the day with my extended family in a city that was 2 hours away. I didn’t do much except sit, eat and enjoy the normalcy of being with the family again, but I was completely exhausted and felt feverish. We got home that night and I checked my temperature. It was 103 F. I didn’t tell my husband about it and I was determined not to spend Thanksgiving night in the hospital. So, I took some Tylenol and went to bed. I was relieved that the fever was gone in the morning. I overdid it the day before.
My advice is for your husband to pace himself, listen to his body and start walking as soon as he is able to.
I am 8.5 years post transplant, work full time at a university, walk 3-4 miles per day and lead a full life. All this progress didn’t happen immediately.
Wishing your husband a good recovery!
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5 ReactionsGood morning
Hey I appreciate the kindness and Compassion I receive here from all of You . Really Boost up my Strength .
I would like to say thanks to all the people here for sharing such an incredible Experiences and Journey of their Life. It is really helpful and Knowledgeable .
I am gonna update you guys about my husband Health and his Journey soon .
Thanks everyone !
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