Hi everyone,
It’s been a while since I have written an update which is mostly because I am starting to get back into living life!
Good news- My blood work is looking better and better each week. As my cell counts inch toward normal ranges, my energy seems to be increasing. I’m walking a few miles a day which was very difficult at first but getting easier as the weeks go on. I’m taking the kids to school and even picked them up a couple of the days last week. The rash I developed from the sulfa antibiotic has finally completely gone away. I am very happy about that because it was a little rough going that week. I still have no MS symptoms, nothing at all other than some fatigue but that is likely due to my body working hard rebuilding my immune system and restrengthening. It is very nice not waking up wondering what is going to creep up and bother me that day. It’s also a good feeling not having to worry about relapses every few weeks. In fact, since being diagnosed, this is the longest I have gone without having a relapse! Another thing that is really cool is I don’t need to get infusions anymore or take any harsh ms drugs. I don’t have to worry about scheduling things around the days I’m sick from after the treatments. That is just awesome. My vision is absolutely perfect now, and i’m not needing to worry about rides for the kids at night. It’s pretty amazing. Oh and lastly, my hair is growing back! Well ok, that may be an exaggeration, some tiny peach fuzz seems to be on my head if you look with a high powered flashlight;).
Not so good news- I look totally ridiculous. It’s just challenging and annoying messing with my 1/2 eyebrows and 4 eyelashes I have left and trying to make them look natural. My head is constantly sweating from the chemo so I’ve mostly ditched the hat this week. I got dehydrated which showed in my blood work so I have to be more careful. It’s getting hot out during the day now so it’s either wear a hat or pass out so I must be responsible and just embrace the Caillou look. The new antibiotics along with the anti-fungals and shingles prevention med I was given are pretty brutal on my stomach. My appetite is still a little off and on. I still cannot run. That was damage from one of the spinal lesions but I’m hoping to regain that. I’ve tried every single day the last few weeks and the farthest I have made it is 1/2 mile so it’s a little frustrating. It seems more of a cognitive disconnect than a physical one so it takes actual mental and physical strength. My goal is a mile to start. I may never regain this and that’s ok, but I bet I will. Improvements can continue up to a year after the transplant.
I like to always focus more heavily on the positive but I also want to communicate everything truthfully. This isn’t an easy thing to do and I don’t want to gloss over some of the harder parts. There are some reading this blog considering doing it.
So recovering is going well, probably a little better than typically expected. I’m feeling more like myself every day and looking forward that continuing.
I’ll update in about a week, thank you to everyone for helping me throughout this whole process. I am just the absolute luckiest to have the nicest, kindest friends and family. I know it’s been one thing after another the last 18 months or so, but I feel like I’m almost there and I am forever thankful. Life is a whole lot easier when you have the comfort of knowing you have unconditional support, friendship and love.
Jennie's MS Journey 