“I made it”
Welcome 2022. I truly hope that the new year brings new challenges, new perspectives, and especially new successes. I’m not generally a superstitious person, but if I were I would be certain that the year 2021 had it out to get me. Looks like I am going to make it. I won’t pretend that I hadn’t questioned it at least once in recent months, but I am more certain now than ever that this dudes going to thrive in 2022.
For those looking for an update on how I’ve been. Simply put, pretty great. I’ve been able to feel like a part of the family again; I’m not running marathons by any means, and my muscles are sore from throwing kids about, but I’ve been present. I haven’t needed much extra rest, and I finally feel like a dad again. I know that the kids can tell I’m feeling better as well, their requests are never ending.
This isn’t to say I haven’t had any complications. Since I was released from UIHC my platelet count had been slowly declining. My Dr’s weren’t terribly concerned about this until a few weeks ago when they finally got to dangerous levels (10-15k). This could have been a couple different issues: either my (new) marrow isn’t making platelets correctly which would likely indicate relapse, or my immune system isn’t recognizing the new platelets (my sisters) and committing sororicide. We went ahead and did an early bone marrow biopsy that would help determine if I was still cancer free and making platelets correctly; we also did a couple infusions that would help my immune system hopefully learn to get along with the new platelets, along with modifying meds. Thankfully the biopsy came back clean; meaning my platelets looked good, there was no increase in cancer cells, and the three markers they check all came back as donor cells. This was fantastic news since managing my immune system is much easier than relapse. In subsequent appointments my platelets have continued to rise, hopefully indicating that the few infusions I had will be enough to play nice.
Outside of that scare, life after a stem cell transplant has been ‘uneventful’ according to my doctor. This of course means the opposite. My feet have continued to peel, however without the burning now; years of poor foot hygiene erased. I have broken an old habit of picking/biting my nails…however that’s mostly due to the fact I don’t have nails anymore; I’ve been assured they’ll grow back. I am slowly getting my hair back, although very ‘fuzzy’. This includes my eye lashes and eyebrows (these are the two that bothered me the most, I feel like I look very cancery without them). It also includes nose hair, no, not inside my nose, oddly enough hair ON my nose; we’ll see where that goes. I still require a seemingly illegal amount of magnesium infusions/pills to stay within range, but no terrible side effects there.
Which brings me to the last piece I feel needs said, or rather written. I’ve been extremely blessed with caregivers that love me without question. No one wants to watch a child, spouse, sibling, or friend battle cancer; but I want those close to know how influential their caregiving has been to my success. Whether you have been a part of staying close during my treatment, or a healthcare team-member that continues to check in, or ensuring my children receive extra love in my absence, or helping maintain the sanity of those close to me, or being available for a spontaneous bone marrow biopsy, or giving me a part of you; every interaction has contributed to my success. If you’re still reading at this point, understand that you too are a caregiver.
That’s it for now. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Happy new year, I’m glad I’m here for it.
