Judy is at day 375 and had here 1 year anniversary checkup today.   She had bone marrow biopsy number 8 on the 23rd as well as blood tests today.  She had a pulmonary test today.   A bone density measurement will be done next week.  Beside checking for success of the transplant by the absence of cancer in the bone marrow the test also assesses whether the strong chemo has done any serious damage to organs and bones.  

Judy is feeling well, and everything looks good.  The early biopsy report said that there was no change since the last biopsy.  She has 100% donor bone marrow.  One more biopsy test result regarding bone marrow DNA damage (the old TP53 deletion) wasn't ready for today's oncology visit so the oncologist will call Judy when that is available.  I did not sense and concern that this could show a problem, but the doctor can't speculate on results.  

Judy's BMT oncology visit included two doctors in training, so she got extra attention today.  Most of the discussion was about symptoms of chronic graft vs host disease and the doctors examined Judy for that.  Judy had nothing for them to find so it was good for Judy.  It is a bit hard to determine if you have graft vs host disease because the symptoms are things like a rash, swollen ankles. dry eyes or changes in taste.  

Today Judy received 4 injections for vaccines normally received as children plus the shingles vaccine.  She will receive boost shots in 2 months.  Then she can stop taking the high dose of anti-viral medication, which is the last medication used for the bone marrow transplant.  

Judy will have the same tests in one year at the end of the normal two-year recovery period, so she can look forward to bone marrow biopsy number 9.   We should be able to recite all of the nurse instructions for the biopsy pre and recovery.  Two years the time needed for her immune system to return to full strength, even though she is physically recovered. 

Judy has been at or above normal energy levels for the last 6 months.  In fact, I have not heard her ask me to slow down so she can keep up.   It's possible that I've slowed, but I doubt that.