Day +191

Well, I got my strength back in my legs and arms.  I can finally climb my stairs unassisted.  I'm still only 152 pounds (I've lost about 70 pounds), but I'm getting there.  I currently have some Graft vs Host Disease in the form of a rash over most of my body, but that will go away.

I'm getting out and about more these days too. 

I'm having a few issues with side effects with medications, but other than that, I'm doing well.  I'm getting stronger every day, and hope to return to work physically (not just from home) soon. 

When they said six months to a year for recovery, they meant it.  I thought I would be further along than I am now, but I have to consider the muscle atrophy as a major setback.  It put me back at least two to three months.

In any case, I'm getting back to the strength level I was at when I came home from the hospital initially.

Not all food tastes like it should.  My taste buds are getting back to normal, but that's a long steady process too, from what I understand.  I can't wait until I can taste food normal again.

Between my last post and this one, I've had a series of blood clots form in my right leg.  They had to do surgery and install filters along the main arteries to my lungs, heart and brain.  If a clot breaks through, it won't give me a heart attack, stroke or head for my lungs.  I'm on blood thinners to dissolve the clots and get back to normal.

Also since then, I've fully recovered from the Acytes (all that fluid that had built up in my abdomen).  It's completely gone, and I feel human again.

I also suffered a terrible fall in my bathroom.  I fell straight across my tub right on my neck like a guillotine.  My neck hit the side of the tub, and my chin slammed against the inside of the tub.  911 and an ambulance took me to the hospital.  I took a few stitches to my chin and my voice is shot.  I thought I broke my neck, but I didn't, thank God.  It's going to take a long time for my voice to return to normal.  In the meantime, I just do what I can.

I get good news every time I go for an appointment at City of Hope.  They did another bone marrow biopsy (I think it was number 15 or 16 - I can't keep count anymore).  I'm still 100% donor and there is still no cancer.  I'm due for another bone marrow biopsy soon.  I'm expecting the results to be the same.

As I close, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone for all their love and support.  I really do appreciate it tremendously...