May 13, 2009 10:00 PM 15 days to go

It was a beautiful day weatherwise and at the clinic!

As usual, my counts were great. When I questioned the doctor about how well I was doing, he said that, obviously, I was doing great because, up to this point, I have had no side effects from the transplant. But, he cautioned me that during this phase many others(though certainly not all by any means) have also undergone no side effects. He said that the real battle is just about to begin.

Next Wednesday, I begin the weaning off of the immuno-suppressants - first one and then the other. The first one is currently a 2 mg dose twice a day. To this he commented that it was already a low dose but it will be reduced monthly by .5 mg. Thus it will take 4 months to get off of this drug - if all goes well. The second drug will then take another 2 months before I am weaned off of that one. So, we are looking at 6 months here - the end of November is currently the goal. During this time period, they expect me to exhibit some graft vs host disease side effects - but it is still possible to navigate through the 6 months and have none.

When I also questioned him as to the new rules after the 100 days is completed, he stated that the only changes would be dietary in nature. No crowds; watch out for people who suffer from colds, flu, etc; no hands-on contact with people; etc. would all still be in affect. We still have a long way to go.

Basically, the doctor said today that we take each good day as it comes. It gets us closer to the end - and having no problems is just the frosting on the cake.

I'll take that...

Bob