It's Working!

 It's been 136 days since my transplant and I just got my report card, so to speak. I'm thrilled to announce that everything is looking good! For the first time in over 5 years I do not need to go to the hospital for regular treatments (other than physiotherapy). I'm still healing and recovering and not about to climb any mountains, but for once everything is looking up. It can take up to a year to determine how much improvement I will see - Stay tuned! Part of me is waiting for a shoe to drop - I'm just not really used to positive medical news (haha).

So, what is life like 4 months after a stem cell transplant, in the middle of a pandemic? Not terribly exciting but that's OK. I'm cooking and baking up a storm some days and recovering from said storm on others. I discovered the Great Baking Shows (Canadian and British) while recovering and am now a little obsessed. I'm getting back into physiotherapy and trying to get out walking as much as possible. This also leads to days of recovery. I've yet to master that little thing called pacing oneself. I believe this is part of my charm. Scott might argue otherwise. I'm also spending time on the computer being a huge nerd and teaching myself Python. Because, why not?

My hair is growing back and is currently an unruly, curly mess that often looks like something you'd see in anime. It's nice to have enough to use shampoo and run my fingers through but I'd really like it to grow back faster and straighter. At least I'm free from wigs and scarves and have a little insulation from the encroaching cold (there was snow on the ground this weekend. Yuck). 

It's not all roses though. I'm definitely suffering covid fatigue. I wish I could go out more with friends, sit in a restaurant, or travel but don't we all at this point? I'm also trying to figure out pain management for my neuropathy. It's all good to be on my feet more but it is not without cost. My feet burn and tingle at the best of times - after a day in the kitchen it feels like someone is pressing a lit cigarette into my soles (soul?). Not so fun and it turns out that sorting it out is no easy feat (feet? 🤦...).

Let's not focus on that though. This is a good news post after all! I'll leave you with a photo of me on a wee 'hike' this afternoon.



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