Today I received my first round of vaccinations which turned out to be 6 shots.  These included DTap/HIB/IPV (polio), Hepatitis A & B, Meningococcal, Shingrex & Pneumonia.  Hoping for nothing more than sore arms.  I will receive my 2nd doses in July and 3rd doses in September.  That will take care of everything until I can get the MMR after 2 years post stem cell transplant.  With the measles outbreaks happening in the US, it is scary for me as I cannot receive that vaccine yet as it is a live vaccine.  It completely pisses me off that a disease that was pretty much eradicated in the US has been allowed to come back due to anti-vaxxers.  This puts everyone who has a compromised immune system at risk and it is much more dangerous for adults. I understand there are those that cannot receive these vaccinations but for those that can, please do so.

Otherwise, I'm settling in with my maintenance drug, 10 mg Lenalidomide which I take in the evening for 21 days and then have 7 days off.  The side effects so far are manageable and they include fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle cramps and brain fog.  

Had my first cold a couple of weeks ago that turned into a sinus infection but antibiotics knocked that out and I recovered quickly.  That is such a positive sign that my body is able to fight.  I still wear a mask in busy public spaces and wash my hands constantly in trying to stay healthy.

My hair is slowly growing back and is coming in curly and is brown/gray.  Such a shock after being blond most of my life.  I haven't figured out how to tame the curls yet.

Overall, I'm feeling good and getting out there living life.  Karisa & I traveled back to Farmington, MN and had a chance to catch up with good friends and we attended the high school musical which was simply amazing!  It felt so good to see friends and get lots of hugs.  We are looking forward to moving in June into our new home and becoming grandparents again in October.  Lots of good things happening to keep living for.

I would love to get together with anyone this summer who would like to meet up for lunch/dinner or attend a fun event.  Please reach out if you would like to get together.