Day 179

Hi All,
We're packing up for the big move back to cville. I'm crazy excited! It was a tough day at the clinic. I found out one of my transplant buds is in the hospital with a fungal infection in his brain (he's very young, 25ish), another is in the hospital for 2-3 months with heavy Graft VS Host (my age) and another one passed away last weds. He was young, around 40. These were all people who were about as far along as I am. That's the scary stuff. I met with another transplant friend who is 2 years out from her transplant and she's fine. It's good to know that it's possible.I'm still feeling well- exercising, doing EMDR, visualizing, meditating and praying like crazy. I had a cat scan today and on weds I have a meeting with a pulmonary specialist and a series of pulmonary function tests. This is all standard and isn't an indication of a problem. Next monday I have another bone marrow test and it's the last day of the semester. I'll have LOTS of papers to grade, that's for sure.
Keep me in your prayers and I'll do the same,
xoBeryl

Day 175

Hi All,
I just took my last immunosuppressant drug this morning. Now we will watch as my new and improved immune system merges seamlessly with my body and creates a new super human. I keep thinking of the movie with Jeff Goldblum "The Fly". I won't turn into the creepy fly tho- too unattractive and gooey. Maybe I'll visualize something else. The terminator when he's all melted and reassembles to form an even more menacing version of himself? Wait, wait, I'm still working on it. I gotta get all this scary stuff out of my head or I'll end up a sticky, melty mess. Anyway- send me your best vibes.
oxoxBeryl (new an improved!!!)
PS I'm including a photo of my new hair do.I think I look a little like George Clooney now!!

Day 172

Hi All,
I had a good visit at the clinic today. They were running behind so I didn't get my lab results back. I end the immunosuppressant
drugs this thurs. Then my donor's immune system will take over. The hope is that when my donor's immune system wakes up in my body, it doesn't attack my organs, thinking they are foreign. The docs say the next 60 days are the most dangerous so keep those prayers and good healing vibes coming. I'm doing everything I can do to stay fit...now it's up to the body.
We're still planning on moving home on April 30th. I'm pining for cville.
Optimistically,
Beryl

Day 165

Hi,
I went to the clinic today. My biliruben is up a little (2.8) and my blood pressure is a little low. James is not feeding me enough breakfast!!! He likes this leaner version and is trying to keep me skinny! Next week I take some more tests (CT Scan and Pulmonary tests) but that's all standard stuff. They aren't worried about anything. I'm going to go visualize and take a nap!! Maybe I'll visualize myself TAKING a nap....
Your friend,
Beryl

Day 161

Hi All,
No health news. I'm still tapering off the drugs. This saturday I decrease the tacrilimus (sp) by 50%. In two more weeks I stop it all together. I went to the house today and brought a few things home. My little stray kitty came by to see me. It's a perfect pet for me. She is feral and won't let me touch her and I'M feral and won't let her touch me. We show our love through food!! How Jewish!!!
I'm including a photo of my garden shot today by Stacey Evans (who is NOT feral) with her Iphone. Spring!!!
xoB

Day 158

Hi,
I went to the clinic and my biliruben continues to decrease- it's at 2.4 now. On the down side, another one of my transplant comrades is struggling with Graft vs Host. He was just 3 days off the immunosuppressant drugs and he had serious GI issues. He's going back in the hospital this afternoon. I'm still on the immunosuppressants for another 20 days or so. That's the stuff that scares me. I'm going to do some EMDR asap and stay in the moment.
On the other up side, spring is lovely and I feel very good!
Take care,
Beryl