It's been nine months since the allogeneic transplant. That's when I received the stem cells of a stranger. His blood, is now mine. My former blood no longer exists. After nine months, my body is still resisting the new blood, still showing a stubborn dislike for the blood that has no doubt saved my life. One after another, symptoms of Graft versus Host Disease take a turn at playing havoc with my body. They sometimes cause pain or just inhibit daily life. Every time the symptom would fade after a month or more of dominance, I would make an assumption that it was the last symptom, that I was finally done with this stage of the treatment and full health was within sight. I would make declarations of being done with GVHD and ready to move on. Then the next symptom would surface and the saga continues.
Looking back on the past nine months at over twenty different manifestations of GVHD and believing it was over after each symptom faded, I feel a bit foolish for continuing to think it will be eventually finished. On the other hand, being foolish has never been a great personal concern. I refuse to expect more sickness, more misery and more pain. My latest two GVHD symptoms are fading at the same time and I still believe, in fact, I'm certain that it's over. That chapter in my treatment of Multiple Myeloma is closed. The next chapter is about strength, not sickness.
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