Today I’m at day 93 out of the 100, to adhere to the restrictions placed on me after transplant. Since I’m close I asked the Dr. if we can skip the 24/7 caregiver demand and she said no, 100 days is that time. They expect issues to develop and upon calling to report them, they want the caregiver to get you to emergency & then OHSU hospital now. My 2 mo & 1 month caregivers have gone home now, who have done oh so much. Bless Sandi & Judy & of course Stu. I literally haven’t been allowed to do many basic regular things—cooking, dishes, laundry, shopping, house cleaning etc. The Dr. did give me an early permission a week ago to drive, & to go in a store if nobody was there. Restaurants or take out are now allowed, not being around many people and being very aware of very cleanly presentations & preparations.
Having major digestive disruption from chemo and new bone marrow changes, I have got into a new way of eating that has given my digestion new help. Eating Right for your Blood Type isn’t something I had aspirated to but it has made a difference—no red meat, no dairy, no gluten & no sugar. That’s a change in many ways. I do cheat some but not much.
After 10 months with a picc line, that was removed this week. That is like a tube going from your arm, up your shoulder, over your chest & down to your heart. We’re not done with blood draws and some meds to be added through IV, but I’ve had some arm pain & there has been a blood clot around that which I’ll trust is leaving via meds I’m taking. Because you can’t get that line wet, it’s a great relief to have it gone.
I only have about 8 drugs left I have to take in helping prevent this & that. The graft vs host disease can still show up for a year so that with symptoms is closely monitored. I still have 2-3, sometimes 4 appts a week at OHSU so it’s a full meal deal keeping up with this healing process, & 2-4 hours each, some days more. The next biopsy is coming up this week. Not my favorite.
I may officially be in remission yet I’m still closely monitored for a lot. I actually feel great & do have aspirations of playing tennis again & going to my grandkids games, besides of course being with family & friends again. Isolation has been a challenge.
Ok, so the Dr. is telling me I have to be very limited in the sun & with sunscreen & coverups. She says I’m very susceptible to skin cancer. So if you see corny hats on me, that’s why. Again, my body has taken hits with a new immune system. I am grateful for life.
We all have our challenges & they are all different. We have the same God and He chooses how best we need to deal with them with their outcomes. I’m grateful for the new lease on life I observe. My process has been somewhat complicated & long but it’s ok. I am looking forward to ongoing resolve. It’s coming.
Lam. 3:24-25 The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
Whether it’s life or death, we win with Him.
