Big Day Today

I get my new stem cells today. This follows what was supposedly a day of rest, that really didn’t feel very restful. I woke up nauseated and that continued all day. Plus the shakes in my hands, which was a little scary. The shakes are lessening but are definitely still there. Hopefully my Cheerios won’t all fall onto the floor this morning. I felt like Trump two handing his water bottle yesterday.

I am feeling the way one might feel after six doses of chemo. The melphalan that was infused the day before yesterday is sort of kicking my ass today.

The organization that administrates and coordinates the stem cell gathering is called Be The Match. It’s an amazing organization. They’ve put me in touch with a guy who had the transplant eight years ago. He told me all about his journey, the ups and downs, the changes that happened to his taste. He couldn’t eat chocolate for about a year. Jen and John swear I’m going to like beets and tomatoes after all this and the thought of that makes me want to vomit.

Last week they told me the donor is somewhere in Europe. The collected stem cells are being couriered over to the US. By a person, so it doesn’t get lost. Not something I’d want to leave to UPS or FedEx. I’m thinking about the coordination and expense of it all.

Check out www.Bethematch.org. They are an amazing organization.

I am nervous, excited, terrified all rolled into one. The nurses have been telling me today is my new birthday. The chemo has destroyed my immune system and now I’m taking on stem cells to develop an immune system from the ground floor. In many cases the HLA matches between siblings so I would know who’s stem cells I’m getting but my brother was a half match and the random European is a perfect match. I hope he or she has awesome personality traits, because I really don’t know how life is going to change for me.

I’m wearing a green shirt today to symbolize growth.