Seven months on: Hello friends, it's a while since... - MPN Voice

MPN Voice

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Seven months on

Otterfield profile image
36 Replies

Hello friends, it's a while since I posted an update about my SCT. It's been about seven months since I received my donor cells and my blood/immune system is now 100% donor. It's still relatively early days and I'm still very vulnerable to infections but in general my medical team is pleased with my progress. I still have some skin GVHD but my consultant says that that is not a bad thing and it's not causing too much discomfort. Really the only negative at the moment is an ongoing anxiety that things could still go wrong but I'm trying to find ways to control that.

Thanks for all your support over the past couple of years, from just beginning to think about it, through a really gruelling time in hospital, to my emergence on the other side.

Jennie

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Otterfield profile image
Otterfield
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36 Replies
Margo18 profile image
Margo18

Jennie

That is marvellous news it’s great that you have made good progress after such a difficult time.

I wish you ongoing success and a full recovery

Best wishes. Margo

Carthe profile image
Carthe

lovely news thanks for keeping us posted… xx

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956

So happy to hear that you’re on the mend. I hope you continue to do better every day. Thanks for the update.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

It is great to hear from you again. That is very good news!

Please do keep everyone filled in on how you are doing. Your experience and knowledge benefits us all.

Wishing you all the best on the next stage of this journey.

Tartanlady profile image
Tartanlady

Hello Jennie, great to hear from you. Can't believe it's been 7 months but I am sure some days you must have felt it was much longer. Fantastic that you are doing well and your medical team are happy with your progress. Don't know if it's because we are the same age but I always read your posts with interest. You are an inspiration!

Keep well and keep us posted.

Lots of love

Christine

ConniesDad profile image
ConniesDad

Wow, time flies!!

I’m still battling the skin GVHD, too🤨

Good to hear you are at 100% donor chimerism.

When I feel worried about things going wrong again I just look at some photos I have from pre-transplant and recognise how much better I am now and that I am living the life I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I also keep in my mind that I am in remission from the myelofibrosis and that I need to make the most of the extra time I have been given as a healthy man.

Hope things keep going well for you

Garry

lizzziep profile image
lizzziep

Good news, hope you keep improving. All the best for the future x

Melior profile image
Melior

Glad to hear you are doing well.

RazB profile image
RazB

Thank you for sharing this, and congratulations on doing so well. I think we all have days of letting our minds wander to where they really shouldn’t go, that’s only natural. I guess the main thing is to keep positive as much as we can…if that becomes hard to do there is help and support. Keep us in touch with your journey, very best wishes 🥇💪❤️

Bluetop profile image
Bluetop

Really good to hear from you and to hear the progress is good. What a struggle for you but you made a brave decision and are reaping the rewards -even if they are gradual. I hope the worries will reduce bit by bit as time goes on. Thanks for taking the time to post.

gset profile image
gset

That’s fabulous progress- you are such an inspiration to all of us. Wishing you all the best.

champ30 profile image
champ30

Fantastic news Jennie, it's understandable to still feel anxious..... it's still early days. Stay safe Lynn 🙏

Solyesh profile image
Solyesh

Jennie

That is great to hear! Wishing you continued progress and success! One day at a time!!

MAP44 profile image
MAP44

Well done Jennie. So happy you are doing so well and your body is strong. Your body want to thrive while your mind still remembers being sick and is trying to protect you. That will be an on going struggle that I am sure you will adapt to with time. Please continue to update us on your future plans and victories. ❤️❤️

DJK12 profile image
DJK12

You've shown great courage Jennie and present anxiety is quite understandable. Hopefully though as your recovery continues and you gain more resistance to infections this will diminish. I send best wishes. Diana

Heidi-W profile image
Heidi-W

Ah its great to hear from you and so glad things are still improving for you. You've been an inspiration to me xx

Mostew profile image
Mostew

Good to hear your news Jennie . Xx

Mishie14 profile image
Mishie14

Very happy to see your progress and positive attitude during a difficult time. You are going to come through this just fine. Your courage is showing! :)

CanadaG profile image
CanadaG

Hi Jennie, I'm so happy to hear the SCT has gone well for you. Stay positive as it sounds like the procedure was a success!

G

UKZA profile image
UKZA

This is wonderful to hear that you are on the mend. It is so good to hear this information for myself, as I am about to start discussions with the transplant team. Take care and keep on improving

GardNerd profile image
GardNerd

It’s so nice to read your update. My favorite part - “emergence on the other side.” Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

mother2britton profile image
mother2britton

So good to hear you are going well.

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8

Hey Jennie... 8-)

You really are such a fearless warrior, (anxiety of no), you are still out there in the midst of this ASCT (adventure), swinging & taking all the blows etc .

Thank you so much too for continuing to share your journey w/ all of us... Doing so is so important, for all of us to learn and glean what knowledge is to be discovered via your experience ...

Warwick, here in Oz, (MATES website). Recently celebrated his 2nd anniversary Post his ASCT procedure. Warwick, is still struggling in some departments. However, overall, he appears so much better these days. His energy levels are returning slowly too...

However, & form the external 'spectator's perspective' we here at MATES can all see just how much Warwick has improved in these last few months in particular...

Warwick tells us, quite frankly, That he is no longer the Warwick that we all once knew, and that his donor/chimera adventure has changed him in personality, as well as his physical Blood type - Fascinating observations, in my view...

Jennie, Warwick says that here in Oz, that they also assign a psychologist to one's care, because the transformation can alter one's personality, much as it has w/ Warwick, in my view.

Interestingly, Chris Harper, over there in the UK, (who was somewhat miraculously cured). Is apparently unchanged, and spends much of his leisure time paddling his kayak all over the place, and just generally loving his LIFE... 8-)

Hopefully, you too shall soon be emulating all such feats yourself... :-)

Very best wishes for your continuing ASCT recovery Jennie...

Thank you again for keeping us all Posted. 8-)

Steve

(Sydney),

Otterfield profile image
Otterfield in reply to socrates_8

Thank you for your kind words. That's very interesting about Warwick's personality change. I've been thinking about this and I asked my husband what he thinks, but neither of us are aware of any change in me. I'm impressed that he has been assigned a psychologist. I've had two telephone sessions with a counsellor but it wasn't especially helpful. When I first came out of hospital I could have done with more help as the whole experience was pretty traumatic.

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8 in reply to Otterfield

Hey Jennie... :-)

I am so glad that you're doing so well... 8-)

Sorry about all my 'Typos' above, I do usually check my Posts first. However, some days I'm sharper than others too... ;-)

Best wishes

Steve

azaelea profile image
azaelea

wonderful news, Jennie! Thank you for letting us all know how things are going and I wish you continued progress and well-being.xx🙏🙏Fran

Meatloaf9 profile image
Meatloaf9

Great news. From reading your posts I always knew that you would do well. Keep up the positive attitude. Best of everything for the rest of your new life.

jmctrek profile image
jmctrek

Thank you for sharing your updates and journey. Hope your worries will abate with time and continual healing.

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna

thats great news. Thank you for updating us.

Sending love and healing as your journey continues xxx

SRH55 profile image
SRH55

it’s good to hear from you & glad that you are doing so well,

I know it must be difficult at times, but keep thinking positively.

Sending best wishes to you.

Penny-10 profile image
Penny-10

So happy to hear you are doing so well. Wishing you continued progress. Take care. XX

Wewo01 profile image
Wewo01

Hi Jennie, That is such wonderful news! You are truly an inspiration! Take care and keep up the great healing that you are doing.

mark382 profile image
mark382

Really pleased all going in the right direction and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Hope you get some comfort that we are all willing you on over that winning post. It's only natural to worry that it may not go as planned, but you are on a positive road and sounds like a good medical team. Easy for me to say but take each day as a positive step forward and one further away from it not going so well. Take care.

mhos61 profile image
mhos61

So good to hear things are heading in the right direction. I imagine the anxiety is part and parcel of the whole process. Hope you’re being supported in that aspect too.

We’re all here for you. X

Inca profile image
Inca

Delighted you are thru the worst times,anxiety is normal I am sure .You are a brave lady & positive ,I am sure you will be totally well soon.Very Best to you & your husband,congratulations Both for getting thru a truly difficult time in your lives.Keep strong 🤗😍Sally

pj1963 profile image
pj1963

Jennie, it is absolutely wonderful to hear that you are doing so well. I am not surprised you are feeling anxious - I'm sure I'd be exactly the same. But I'm sure that, as time goes on, those negative thoughts will disappear into the background and you can focus on your life ahead. Easily said, I know.

Sending you love and best wishes,

Paula

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