Jennie's MS Journey

I can’t believe I have already been home over a week and am 20 days post transplant! It’s nice getting back into the routine of things. A lot of hand washing is happening at our house and I’m doing my best to stay home and avoid public places…etc. I’m feeling better but a little disappointed in the speed at which I’m recovering. I just want to get right into working out and things but my bloodwork numbers are really out of whack and my body is feeling that way. I added in the antibiotics this week and my stomach is adjusting to the different medications that will keep me safer the next 6 months. My hair is still falling out…not awesome. I feel like one of those creepy kitties with no hair on their bodies.

Good news- I have had NO MS symptoms since the transplant and my vision is still completely clear! I’ve been told it will likely all stay this way for the foreseeable future but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and get too excited. I won’t get overly optimistic until I get the MRI’s in August and it shows this is working but so far things are looking great and going as expected.

I also want to say how incredibly lucky I am to have such an awesome group of friends, family, neighbors, and community. It was strange and little scary having to do this whole thing in Chicago where I couldn’t really have visitors other than Matt or mom. I felt gross (that’s the best term I can think of) and not really even up for watching TV but every single time I looked at my phone there were messages flooding in for me. I received so many cute green heart pictures, text messages, emails, valentines, boxes of fun gifts to open when I felt sick. It was as if I had a million visitors all day long. I cannot tell you how much better that made the whole experience. I know all of those things took time and effort and kindness and I’m forever grateful. I read every one of those Valentine’s and I just couldn’t believe people took the time to do that. I really couldn’t. Thank you so much. I packed every single thing up and sent it back here because it is a reminder of how thoughtful all the people in my life are. Mom did a great job with the kids, and I know that is a lot to keep track of but they all did fine. I knew when I came home to my spotless home, someone else had been running that place;)…

Anyway, I’ll update again soon, hope everyone is having a nice week!