Its Day +282!

I am still here. Although I've been so quiet, no news is good news.

There are days I still can't believe I am here.

I've asked my husband, several times, if there were moments during my treatment that he thought I wouldn't make it. He'd say, "No. I knew things will be alright and that you'll get through the transplant okay." That's my husband, between the two of us, he is the optimist. I tend to be the whiner and the pessimist. Sometimes I just whine just because I can. Honestly, after my transplant, I feel like I'm adjusting to a new body. It could just be psychological.

This is my last week with Prednisone. My skin graft-vs-host disease seemed to have responded. I am now only taking the pill every other day, and after two weeks of that regimen, doctor recommended I should stop taking it completely. Prednisone needs to be tapered as it does have side-effects, and I am starting to feel them now. Since the tapering started, I've been feeling crappy, have less energy and sleepy at most times of the day. It's been a rough two weeks. My hopes are that even without the steroid, my skin gvhd will not flare up.

Next week, I'm going to see my doctor for my follow-up check-up. I still have my monthly blood work, but I only see my doctor now every two months. It feels great that my life does not revolved around the hospital and blood work anymore.

I am recovering very well except that I've been getting pain attacks below my right rib. Since my doctor knew that I have gallstones in addition to a "lazy gallbladder" diagnosis before my transplant, she suspects that they're the culprit. She suggested that I may need to get it removed. Health challenges keep coming I tell ya.

Next week, I'll have my lungs tested and will also have an ultra-sound for my gallbladder.

I am not sure when the surgery will take place, but boy I am scared.

Day +148: Hoping For Rain

I was hoping it would rain tonight. There was definitely thunder a while ago, but the rain clouds never made it to our area. I'm still hoping we'll get some good soaking overnight.

Prednisone helped quell my skin GVHD for about two weeks. BUT the past two days, there's a bit of a rash that reappeared on my cheeks. It is frustrating that these rashes aren't going away as soon as I want them to be. It's just like today, I was hoping for rain, and rain didn't come.

I feel pretty good overall, but I do keep reminding myself that I have to take things slowly. Recovery from a bone-marrow transplant is not a sprint, it's definitely more of a marathon.

Oh look, it's starting to drizzle.

Day +138: Rainy Days And Steroids

Today, I am day +138.

Recovery is going well except for this annoying mild skin graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). It's mild but the itchiness is annoying. I am not looking forward to the summer heat and humidity because the past two humid days, my skin was so itchy and I was miserable.

Last week, my doctor decided to put me on a low dose of Prednisone to treat my skin GVHD. I've been taking it for six days and it's really helping with the skin rash and itchiness. I really don't want to be on steroids for a long time, as it makes me feel crappy, but since this is a low dose, it's very well tolerable. I am hoping this will really help with my skin GVHD.

Although I am taking a low dose of Prednisone, I've noticed that my vision has been blurry. Also, my head feels fuzzy and heavy most of the time. I am not so sure if these symptoms are from the steroids or just allergies. My major concern now is getting this skin GVHD treated.

Well, it's a short update from me. Most days, I feel close to normal, but I am taking things slowly. My hair is slowly growing, and my appetite is slowly getting better. Although there are many things I can't eat yet, I am happy that my taste buds are almost back to normal. Life can be miserable when your taste buds are out of whack.

It's rainy. No matter what the weather's like, I am thankful.

Today is a good day to bake some Chocolate and Apricot Squares.