Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Thirty Days after Stem Cell Transplant

The first thirty days after Stem Cell Transplant were a roller coaster. Actually, the more I think about it, most of the effects I felt were due to the chemotherapy which stopped two days prior to the actual transplant. One side effect of the transplant was more of a mechanical aspect. I had two new lines aka ports placed in my arm a few days prior, and they were placed in the crook of my arm which made it very challenging, and painful, to bend and use my arm in ways you normally take for granted.

In fact, this one item, made me quite dependent on the nurses as I couldn’t get taped up for my daily shower, without standing there with very little clothing as they had to tape up my chest lines, as well as my arm lines. I had to quickly swallow my pride, and I believe this started to prepare me for just how dependent I would become on others.

My energy level, as well as my appetite, decreased as my cell counts decreased. I found it much harder to get myself up to shower, and walk each day. I did find some energy to do some scrapbooking, but otherwise, spent more and more time napping. Soon enough a horrible bout of mucositis began. In case you aren’t aware of what the heck mucositis is: Mucositis is the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, which means from my mouth to my ‘end’ was swollen and full of sores. Therefore, eating, drinking, etc were very painful. I didn’t want to talk or eat.

Luckily, I got through tha challenge, again thanks to chemotherapy, I could once again eat, begin to swallow pills, rather than take all meds via I.V., and convince the doctors let me come home! I was struggling to eat the same old hospital food, and just knew that I could regain my strength and appetite more effectively at home – I convinced them and headed home. The ride home was sweet and emotional.