Wow! What can I say, other than I cannot believe it has been almost 5 weeks since my journey here in Moscow began. I have mixed feelings being at this stage of the treatment as well. Yes, the medical treatment here was second to none, I have felt 'reasonably good' the entire time through the process and the staff and doctors are second to none in the world. Why the mixed feelings? Because in all reality, while the procedures are done, now is when my body actually starts the healing process. This will take time, patience, and yes, more time....
We have now drawn up a new rebooted blueprint for my immune system to follow, one that in essence should be self tolerant. Many of you who have known me for many years will not even have noticed the subtle changes that have happened within my body and capabilities. Now, over the next months to several years, the anticipation is that left unchallenged, some of the nerve damage that has happened in both my brain and spinal cord, may start to heal. And with healing, comes function. Will I be able to run marathons or play men's league hockey anymore? Anyone's guess. Would I love the opportunity to feel normal to be able to run after my kids to get to the park....hell YES! This is why I made this decision to come here at a 'relatively' early state of disease to try to optimize quality of life going forward.
Each patient who undergoes HSCT reports various markers along the way post treatment. Often symptoms get worse for a few months, before very subtle changes take place. Every day must be appreciated for what it is and the challenges is will bring. Take the good days when they show and celebrate, take the bad days in tow and chalk them up to just being a bad day.
Today was better than yesterday, pushed a bit longer, walked a bit further, but I can definitely feel the dexamethasone tapering and the effects of all these meds working their way out.
Dr. Fedorenko will review all of my final blood chemistry with me tomorrow and review my plan of action for follow up in Ottawa with my physicians there. All I can say ultimately is that I truly feel blessed for being here with the superior care I have received.
I will update you all with the final analysis tomorrow.
Until then, love from Moscow!
We have now drawn up a new rebooted blueprint for my immune system to follow, one that in essence should be self tolerant. Many of you who have known me for many years will not even have noticed the subtle changes that have happened within my body and capabilities. Now, over the next months to several years, the anticipation is that left unchallenged, some of the nerve damage that has happened in both my brain and spinal cord, may start to heal. And with healing, comes function. Will I be able to run marathons or play men's league hockey anymore? Anyone's guess. Would I love the opportunity to feel normal to be able to run after my kids to get to the park....hell YES! This is why I made this decision to come here at a 'relatively' early state of disease to try to optimize quality of life going forward.
Each patient who undergoes HSCT reports various markers along the way post treatment. Often symptoms get worse for a few months, before very subtle changes take place. Every day must be appreciated for what it is and the challenges is will bring. Take the good days when they show and celebrate, take the bad days in tow and chalk them up to just being a bad day.
Today was better than yesterday, pushed a bit longer, walked a bit further, but I can definitely feel the dexamethasone tapering and the effects of all these meds working their way out.
Dr. Fedorenko will review all of my final blood chemistry with me tomorrow and review my plan of action for follow up in Ottawa with my physicians there. All I can say ultimately is that I truly feel blessed for being here with the superior care I have received.
I will update you all with the final analysis tomorrow.
Until then, love from Moscow!
One last pic prior on the day the isolation doors were finally opened!
