It’s been 3 and a half weeks since my admission and I can finally breathe a long long sigh of relief!
After the stem cell infusion (bone marrow transplant on Day 0), I had 2 more days of intense chemotherapy on Day 3 and 4 to kill the cells between my dad and I that weren’t agreeing with each other. Most of my discomfort came from these last 2 days of chemotherapy because of its high dosage:
- High fever and chills
I was shivering every 4 hours prior to high temperature spikes. At one point I hit 39.8 degree Celsius. It made me shiver to no end and I was extremely groggy and helpless for a few hours. Of course this put the doctors and nurses into motor mode and they put me up for antibiotics, blood cultures, X-rays, ECG, urine culture, frequent blood pressure and temperature monitoring. Fevers are expected after a bone marrow transplant, due to the disagreeing cells between my dad and I, and also my low white blood cell count (0.01). However, antibiotics are given and tests are taken as a precaution of infection.
2. Nausea and vomiting
As a common side effect of chemotherapy, I definitely could not avoid nausea and vomiting. You’re sensitive to so many smells and you can barely keep your food down. Despite being given 3 types of anti-nausea medications, I still found myself puking into bags and bags of white.
3. Hair loss
Cyclophosphamide is mean. He only makes you lose the hair on your head. The unsightly hair on other areas that have grown due to your cyclosporin intake for the past 4 months barely disappear. But he will make sure you lose your favourite crown of hair. Because, reasons.
Yup. That’s what I look like now.
I was given tummy injections of what they call Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) or blood boosters, to stimulate my dad’s stem cells to enter my bloodstream, hence causing my bone marrow to produce blood cells. Now these injections hurt a pinch but can cause a lot of discomfort later in the day. It can cause your joints and bones to hurt (like A LOT), as your bone marrow is producing blood cells. Which is why they call the pain, a good kind of pain. Honestly, I wish the good just came without the pain.
I’m so thankful that my mum and Darren were so patient with me during these aching pains, fevers and vomiting bouts. I believe I was crying, kicking and screaming like a child in these moments, but they both gave their all to make me feel comfortable and calm.
…
Now here I am on day 18, and my counts have increased from 0.01 to 3.92 in 9 days! The pain in my mouth due to chemotherapy has subsided and my fevers have disappeared. Doctors say I should be ready to go home early next week. I’m so thrilled!
Darren mentioned this is probably the best news we’ve heard all year, given the ATG was a failure and all we’ve experienced was disappointment after disappointment. I pray that it only goes upwards and onwards from here.
If you haven’t already, meet me at the beginning: https://beebstory.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/first-blog-post/
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