4 years in the past, I had a bone marrow transplant to fight the recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia. At each check-up since, I‘ve been advised that I’m doing remarkably properly. I’m insanely grateful for the various who spent their lives researching and innovating efficient therapies. And for the docs, nurses, facility managers, caretakers, custodians and oodles of others who helped me — immediately or not directly.
Although I recovered from most cancers, not every thing is now regular. However who desires to be regular?
All of the vital issues are regular. By that I imply, my full blood rely (CBC) assessments present all indicators are “inside regular vary.” I do have excessive triglycerides and low protein, however that could be a results of my lackadaisical response to vitamin and train challenges. (I need to get off my butt and go biking, after which snack on hen breast and broccoli.)
However CBCs and urine assessments don’t price your hair development or your psychological well being.
All of the chemo that I acquired over time affected my bones, tooth, nails and hair. And angle.
4 years after the transplant, I now get up day by day to see my child orangutan hair within the mirror. Bald spots are adjoining to unruly sprouts of very high-quality hair. I attempted shampoo with keratin for years with no change to the density or quantity. I steadily trim my patches by simply grabbing a piece and scissoring. No rhyme or motive for the hacking. God invented baseball caps and wigs.
I can reside with this.
My nails are extra fragile than earlier than most cancers, and generally the nail doesn’t totally hook up with the nailbed. I’m advised to totally dry my fingers after washing, hold my fingers clear and drink milk. There are additionally grooves in my nails — a typical prevalence after chemo.
I can reside with this.
My neck and again crack and crunch all day lengthy. I had a number of bone density assessments completed and have been identified with arthritis — actually from growing old however exacerbated by all of the chemo. It’s getting worse yearly. Generally it feels nice to contort my head in order that the joints pop, however I fear once I really feel bone on bone. Nonetheless…
I can reside with this.
I react otherwise now to mosquito bites. If I get a chunk on my hand, a big portion of my hand will swell up for days. I used to attempt to get the venom out which might end in a discoloration of my pores and skin. Now I simply apply topical cortisone and wait. Finally, it goes away.
I can reside with this.
I don’t thoughts sporting a baseball cap on my errands and donning a wig throughout work. I don’t thoughts yoga to alleviate the arthritic ache. I don’t thoughts the cooling sensation of cortisone medication.
I’m glad. Earlier than most cancers, I went right into a melancholy. After most cancers, I made a decision to do one thing enjoyable for work, as a substitute of struggling by red-tape-heavy, intense, high-pressure days within the company world. I made a decision to cease the exhausting journey, 3 a.m. emails and fixed peer battle. Come see me in Tampa Nordstrom for some private styling! For that, and for my life, I thank the chemo.
I do thoughts most cancers. I’ll all the time keep related with my healers and the affected person and household neighborhood.
For extra information on most cancers updates, analysis and schooling, don’t overlook to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters right here.
