Stem Cell Transplant No. 3 – Update 3
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well.
Things for me are going quite well. Whilst I experience fatigue that slows me down, I am starting to feel more normal with the effects of the transplant radiation and chemotherapy fading. I have now started doing ‘normal’ things like yoga and swimming to build up my strength, visiting wineries to build up my good gut bacteria, and attending the AFL grand final for mental dexterity and strength. Actually, I am still shocked that my beloved Tigers are 2017 premiers!!
I am extremely fortunate that I feel quite well as I seem to have dodged the nasty symptoms associated with my recent Allo Stem Cell Transplant. Those symptoms are caused by Graft Vs Host disease which occurs when my brothers (legend Dan’s) introduced immune system comes into my body, recognises my body as foreign and attacks my organs. My research suggested that a bit of this was to be expected and ok, and that it was an indication that the introduced immune system was active and ready to kill cancer. However, too much is not good as it can lead to death.
Whilst I have dodged nearly all symptoms, I am suffering from a bad case of pubic-hair-itis. Dan always had really curly hair. It now seems that as well as Dan’s immune system, I also have his tight curly hair. I have never had curly hair in the past. At guess I should be thankful that it didn’t turn into red curly hair (not that there is anything wrong with that – as they say red hair is back in vogue).
I am now four months post transplant and I still have not experienced symptoms. It seems the reason for this is that the Stem Cell Transplant has not fully engrafted. For months, Dan’s immune system (or bone marrow) sat at 55% with my old immune system remaining at 45%. Ideally I need to have Dan’s immune system at 100%. Annoyingly, in the last month my immune system is fighting back, with Dans slipping away, and we are now 50% – 50%. Its a little like the the sibling rivalry Dan and I experienced as kids with me having to beat Dan up when he got a little ahead of himself . Dan has had the last laugh though as I now cruise arund with an Afro.
With Dan’s immune system slipping back, it will struggle to attack the cancer and is an indicator that the Stem Cell Transplant is failing. Massive bummer. In my pursuit to live to 80, the last thing I need is a failed Allo Stem Cell Transplant. In an attempt to turn the tide, I am having a Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (i.e – more of Dans cells put in). The hope is that the top up will initiate the turn around to get Dan’s immune system to 100% so that Dan and I can collectively kick some cancer butt!!
Today, I sit here in hope, but also feeling a little conflicted. Whilst I hope that Dan’s immune system picks up, I am hoping equally as much that my hair doesn’t get any curlier. Wish me luck.
Take care
Geoff
