I'm still alive! Though the road here has been filled with bumps and potholes and detours.
On day +30, we measured the percentage of my immune system that had been taken over by Laura's immune system. It was 95%! At day +60, the number had risen to 97%. So far, so good. Looking to hit 100% by day +100 or so.
I developed some Graft vs Host Disease of the upper GI tract. I was started on a corticosteroid suspended in corn oil 4x a day and a capsule form corticosteroid 2x a day for a month or so. Other than not being able to sleep well or taste anything, the side effects were minimal. No "roid rage" or constant hunger. Although it was certainly easier to eat because I wasn't constantly nauseated.
I've started going to the BMT clinic for labs and a doctor's visit just twice a week now. I was getting IV magnesium for a couple of weeks, which was terrible. Apparently I'm a delicate little flower now, overly sensitive to both Magnesium and my anti-rejection med, Tacrolimus. It makes things a bit tougher.
On day +75, I was taken off of the anti-fungal med, Diflucan. In the following week, the headache I'd been having once and a while for the last month began to be a painful daily occurrence. The doc ordered a CT scan of my head (insert "getting my head checked" jokes here) and the results gave him considerable concern that I have a fungal infection in my sinuses. Freaky, I know. So they prescribed me a serious heavy-duty anti-fungal called Voriconizole to combat the potential infection. More side effects. Tremors, loss of appetite, bone/joint/muscle pain, memory lapses, foggy head, and increased fatigue and weakness. But no more headache!
Anyhoo, it's been a particularly tough week.
I have an appointment with the ear, nose, and throat specialist on Thursday. Hopefully it will be informative and not any more bad news. Maybe they'll just be like, "Oh, hey, you're already on Voriconazole? Sweet. Just keep that up and no problem-o!" or maybe they'll run tests or take a biopsy. ugh. That all has certainly been a bit stressful.
I wish I had the stamina and strength to run around with my son, but he is getting used to bringing me books and wooden puzzles on the couch. We snuggle and watch movies and I try to remind myself that it won't always be this way. I have a short fuse when the pain and discomfort have gone on for too long. But he and Brandon are as understanding and forgiving as two humans can be.
I'll write more, again, soon. But right now there is a dude that just woke up from a nap, and he needs someone to color with.
