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| Ken & Victoria at Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD) | Ken at Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD) |
It’s been 98 days since my Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (alloHSCT), also known as a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) or a Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant. So far I’ve been extremely fortunate in not showing any acute symptoms of Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD) or any other complications common after a BMT.
My most notable symptoms were Hypertriglyceridemia after my use of Sirolimus as an immunosuppressant, which Johns Hopkins has since switched to Tacrolimus. Unfortunately, Tacrolimus has its own list of side effects, notably Tacrolimus Toxicity resulting in tremors, neuralgia (shocking pains), and peripheral neuropathy (loss of feeling in fingers and extremities).
For me, all of my medications and post-procedure symptoms has resulted in some short-term memory loss, changes in vision and vision-correction prescription, atypical weight gain, and dry/scaly skin.
Today I was told that I should wait 6 months before getting my vision checked, but that changes in vision are common. The oncologist was a bit concerned that my weight went from 167lbs to 184lbs in the last two months, so I’ve been asked to watch my diet and exercise (more proteins, much fewer carbs & sugars, more exercise), and to apply skin lotion twice a day over my entire body.
When I asked if I may return to work, so long as I’m working from home and not exposing myself unnecessarily to others, I was told that it’s a little outside-the-norm for 3 months, but he’s excited I’m doing so well. Johns Hopkins tells me they’ll document a written work-release detailing my work restrictions and liabilities. I’m hoping to get that document to my employer’s human resources and to my disability insurance company as quickly as possible.
And so it goes… some good news today. I’m hoping to become healthier, for my recovery to progress without complications, and I look forward to being able to work again, even if it is in a somewhat limited capacity until I’m fully vaccinated with a healthy immune system.