Well, we are at day 34. So far, the donors immune system has done a nice job setting up shop within my body. My white counts are up are and my new immune system is growing. We head down to Boston tomorrow (Friday) for a check up and also a followup with the gallbladder surgeon. They will also be doing a test tomorrow that measures my immune system. It will tell us what percentage of my immune systems is the new donors system and what part is left over from my old crappy, defective immune system. We are shooting for a high percentage of it being my new immune system. It will take a couple weeks to get those results back.
The biggest difficulty I have right now is that all the chemo and radiation before the transplant wiped out my taste buds. Nothing tastes good. I am down to Peanut Buttercup Cereal, PB&J sandwiches (they are tough to swallow) and chocolate pop tarts. As result, I am stuck at 160lbs. Since I am not eating much, I do not have a lot of energy. Since I do not have a lot of energy, I cannot exercise and get stronger. It is very very frustrating. They say this will eventually pass. I hope it passes sooner rather than later.
For those of you that have asked about sending me baked goods, I cannot have anything "homemade" for the first first 100 days after transplant. Just about the worst time of year to be on that restriction!
10 comments:
Man, that sucks about the taste buds! I hope they come back soon. I know you love pb&j and it is not fair that you can't swallow them very well. Stay strong and remember there are a bunch of us who love you, cuz!
April
That is so unfortunate about the taste buds. Hang in there. I'm so glad that the immune system is taking! Good luck in Boston!
Well that just means that you'll get double the Christmas goodies next year! Something to look forward to:-) Best of luck in Boston tomorrow.
Stacey
That sucks about the baked goods, but could you smell them? Hang in there buddy, I wish I could suggest something, but I stuck with basics. Hey maybe you will develope a taste for something you hated before.
How about milkshakes or smoothies? I hope the appointment/tests goes well.
bummer on the baked goods! Once you get the "ok" let us all know and we'll show up with anything you want! As usual you have made me appreciate the simple things we forget about..like tasting! Hopefully milkshakes and smoothies do the trick...they can pack a lot of calories like you need. Hope the appointment goes great! ~Mollie
so glad to hear from ya! i remember jenn being miserable with the food situation after chemo. i'll never forget it.
hoping for good results tomorrow! keep us posted. we think of you all the time!
So why don't you treat your current taste buds like being in a triathlon?
Drink Ensure; make protein smoothies with lots of fruit; pound down the gels; make power bars and eat them every hour.
Suck it up - you have gotten this far, so no time to wimp out!!!
Yes tough love....but you need it!
Terry
Email me if you want to rant, give me shit or talk..
Best of luck...tomorrow WILL be a good day! Your check up in B town will be stellar!!!
Get some funny bones!
Nik
I remember many many years ago when your Dad's jaw was broken - your Mom made peanut butter frappes - that was in the days before blenders!!!!
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