Throughout Aug. and Sept. I completed a series of tests - including dental work - to be used to qualify me for the stem-cell program. Those tests are discussed in detail in the Qualifying Tests page. Luckily at the end of those tests, I was accepted into the program for Oct. I then began some additional tests and procedures which were required before I went into the hospital in Oct. These tests are covered under the Pre-Transplant Tests and Procedures page. The last thing I did was have a Hickman port (Apharesis line) installed for the transplant and hospital stay, have shots to accelerate the growth of stem cells, then have them harvested. This was done by the end of Sept. and I was all set for the in-hospital portion of the transplant.
During this time I was in remission, and felt pretty good overall, except for the effects of neuropathy in my hands and feet, which persisted and were perhaps stronger, and some problems with equilibrium and leg weakness. Unfortunately with all these combined, I was getting very little exercise and was becoming more and more out of shape. This plays a role in later recovery, and I discuss it more fully in the Post-Transplant Issues page.
No comments:
Post a Comment