Carpe Diem.

With my lab Khira during a walk through the woods on 10/16/2016

The first half of October 2016 is pretty unspectacular, if you desist from the Vidaza therapy and its side effects.

On Wednesday, October 19th 2016 I have a check up appointment at the UNI Clinic Dresden. My doctor inaugurates exciting news: A matching stem cell donor has been found! This is an incredible stroke of luck after such a short time. Nevertheless, I don’t know if I should be happy. I was actually hoping that the Vidaza treatment would work and I could avoid the high risk stem cell transplant. On the other hand a successful stem cell transplant is the only thing that can heal MDS at the moment.

The timed process has already been determined. The actual stem cell transplant is planned for January 10th 2017. Seven days prior to that I’m supposed to check in at the UNI Clinic Dresden. The one week serves for the conditioning which means I am undergoing chemo therapy (intravenous) to eliminate my own sick stem cells completely. January 3rd, of all things that’s my birthday. After a short time for consideration I agree and sign a few forms.

Back home.

Suddenly, my last wisdom tooth is beginning to hurt. So this time, the left bottom one. The upper wisdom teeth have been taken out years ago and the bottom right one a month ago Part 13. This time I already know how things work and go see my hematologist. She agrees with me. This construction site has to be taken care of as soon as possible. In January a gingivitis would be very counterproductive.

The fixed appointment for the thrombocyte IV and the following tooth surgery is going to be October 24th 2016.
I’m having a fever the next day. Probably due to my infected tooth. The fever rises. On Saturday, October 22nd it rises so much that wife decides to take me to the ER of the Kuechwald Clinic Chemnitz. After a detailed examination they decide to keep me there.

With this Recovery Diary I want to not only write about my progress (or regress). Most importantly, I want to reassure those who are in a similar situation. No matter if it is yourself, a member of your family or a friend who is affected.

To be continued...

You can find the previous articles here:

• Part 13: Roller Coaster
• Part 12: Slack Period
• Part 11: Farewell and new beginning
• Part 10: Land Ahoy! - The big Update
• Part 9: Russian roulette - decision for life
• Part 8: Living with MDS - I just wish for more time...
• Part 7: What is Steemit!? - 33th wedding anniversary.
• Part 6: Club Nautique - The wireless mouse on the operating table.
• Part 5: The sea calls! - It goes to the South!
• Part 4: Tests, anticipation and the valley of dark shadows.
• Part 3: The 72 Hours Rule - Finally Home.
• Part 2: "By the Wind" - Celebrate a birthday in the hospital.
• Part 1: In the isolation ward of the hematology/oncology. - What's actually happening in my body?