Reborn

Day 0 (D 138)

Today I laid out millions of virtual juice boxes and cookies to entice the new baby stemcells to want to stay. Chris imagines the new cells to be kindergartners on their first day of school. He joked about one of the left over rabbit ATG cells being the class pet.

I received my transplant in three stages. Before each dose, I was given steroids and benadryl. I spent the entire day fighting sleep because of the pre medication. With the first bag of stem cells, I lost the ability to regulate my body temperature. I've been wrapped in blankets ever since.

With the second bag of stem cells, I developed a strange taste in my mouth. The transplant team provided me with mints in case this happened. I don't know if Chris or I have ever talked about it, but the preservative that stabilizes the stem cells smells like creamed corn or olive brine. Well, this odor transfers to the transplant patient. The inside of my mouth tastes like stale creamed corn. It's really disgusting. I ordered applesauce for dinner and for some reason, it tasted like canned meat. Eating was already an ordeal to begin with. Now I smell like creamed corn and the only thing that I can keep down is canned pears. I feel like a really bad movie plot.

I can honestly say that I couldn't be happier. It's been an amazing ordeal and I know the days ahead are going to be rough. I still have to engraft and we have to be sure that none of my old cells rear their ugly heads. There is CMV to be worried about. I have to stay infection free and start making healthy marrow. I can't wait.