This is the view from my parents home in Minnesota where Anna spent the entire month of July last year. Many mornings Anna would get up and see the lake completely calm. She would say to my father, "Boppa, the lake is like a sheet of glass. We have to go for a boat ride."
Jo's transplant experience continues to be as smooth as glass. Her daily fluids have dropped by half to 500 ml and her visits to the clinic are only twice per week. In a couple of weeks or so, she'll stop going to the clinic altogether and she'll just go in on Wednesdays to see Dr. Anderlini.
Day +100 is talked about a lot with a Stem Cell Transplant because that is when Jo hopes to have have her CVC removed. One of our friends here in the building got her CVC out a couple of weeks ago on about Day +92. She had Leukemia and she first got her CVC back in May when she arrived at MD Anderson.
Jo takes Tacrolimus to suppress her immune system and decrease the risk of rejection. She'll have to take Tacrolimus at least 6 months and maybe longer. Some people do have to take anti-rejection drugs for many years or even their entire life, depending on their individual experience with Graft vs. Host Disease.
All Stem Cell Transplant patients are told to expect a full year to pass before getting back to full strength. "Full strength" for Jo probably means getting back to the dance floor. Right now I'd be happy with half strength which I'm hoping means a trip to Houston's for Spinach Dip!
One last update from Dr. Anderlini. Last week he told Jo that she can now start her subscription to Men's Health magazine. Her cells are almost all from Eddie and her chromosomes show an X and a Y chromosome. So...is she still my wife or is she now my "Bromance"? Will she continue to go by Jo or will she change her name to Joe? Can you tell I've been studying comedy with a very popular Clownfish here in Houston?
3 comments:
Hi Jo,
I'm so happy to hear of your continued progress. Looking forward to Day 100 for you!
Valerie from Oklahoma
Hi Jo
I have been following your story closely as today I found a common link. My niece Molly has Nephrotic Syndrome and is also taking Tacrolimus. She is only 4 so we hope she will get too many of the long term side effects from the drug. Anyway back to you. I have seen you for many years and was upset to hear that you have been so ill. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I hope you all have a very happy and healthy new year.
With all my love.
Sara Spiegel
(PS if you do not remember me, I used to dance with Alan Livett in the UK. I was the one who was always falling asleep within seconds). :)
You are funny Tim! She is beloved Jo! Although go for it Jo, there's some nice things to look at in those Men's magazines, so just pretend! :) We are happy to hear the good news! Hugs to everyone! Debbie
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