The Other Side of Nadir

I have been weak in recent days so I have not written but I learned a lot that I am excited to pass along.  

On Day 0, June 17, I received 3.19 million stem cells into my body.  The stem cells were infused approximately 24 hours after I received an enormous does of Melphalan, which is the chemo that will virtually eliminate my immune system.  While I was receiving the Melphalan infusion, I ate ice chips.  I ate them for one half hour before and one half hour after after the infusion to avoid suffering from mouth and throat sores.   Mucous membranes have many more cell turnover than other parts of the body, therefore those surfaces are destroyed more radically by chemo, the doctors explained. 

Day 1-8 the chemo was affecting my body, but with a list of anti nausea meds, I managed to eat 3 meals a day (one or two more than I usually eat) and I walked about one hour each day.  On day 8 I started having terrible pain in my legs as if I had had a build up in lactic acid.  Strangely they would not give me Tylenol because they were afraid that it would mask a fever.  On the morning of day 9 I begged for a Tylenol, which they gave me and the pain subsided.  That morning I had wonderful news; my white blood cell count had jumped 6x, which surprised and delighted the doctors.  No one was expecting any change until at least day 10. 

Day 10 brought the best and most surprising news, I had achieved complete engraftment, meaning that my white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts had reached the criteria upon which I could be released.  I wont be released until July1,  but I'm happy that my counts are approaching the low end of their normal ranges.  

Now I am planning for discharge.  

I don't know what I learned other than it is important to ask for nausea meds at the first hint of nausea, it is important to eat as much as possible and walking makes everything feel better.  I imagine that I owe my surprising jump in numbers to eating and walking.  

Thank you for your love and your notes, it has meant so much to me. 

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetics-cancer





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