The dreaded call.... CMV positive.

I have some bad news I wanted to share with you.... a test from earlier this week came back positive for CMV. CMV is the virus that 70% of adults have, similar to chickenpox. My liver tests came back higher than normal the last two weeks so they tested me since this virus can attack my liver. Both my donor and myself were positive for the virus which put me at a higher risk for reactivating the virus in my body. They had me on preventive medicine (Valcyte) but took me off since they thought it was a cause for my decreased blood cells and you are most likely only to get it within the first couple of months after transplant. The treatment is heavy doses of Valcycte that will drop my white blood cells even lower for three weeks so I will be in my bubble for around three weeks starting Monday. I will be taking daily shots of neupogen to help my WBC recover but based on my history with Valcyte, they will still be to low to leave the house. They are hopeful one round of medicine will kill the virus but if not, they may need to admit me into the hospital for IV therapy.

Although the news is not what I was hoping, I am glad we have a plan to get rid of it. My Doctor also said there may be a slight chance that it was contributing to my low blood cell counts so we may see improvement in those once I am done with my treatment. They always warmed me that this virus was a possibility so it wasn't too much as a surprise but I wasn't expecting it since I didn't have any symptoms.

The good news is that I was still able to go on a Spa Girls Weekend in Truckee! Jenny, Nicole and myself spent 2 nights at Northstar and spent the weekend pampering ourselves with spa treatments at the Ritz Carlton and eating great food. I don't have any pictures to share since we spent the weekend in our pajamas with no makeup on:)

Thank you ladies for the fun weekend and for being such great friends!

Patience is a virtue.... one that I don't have!!!

Today was the big day... my appointment with my Hematologist. He was suppose to have the answer as to why my blood counts are not stable. He failed my test and didn't have a magic answer. He did order a crap load of blood tests and scheduled a follow up appointment for August 18th. Basically, he thinks my blood cells will recover as my body gets used to all the anti-rejection drugs and I just need to keep giving myself shots of Neupogen to help boost the bone marrow. He will discuss the need for a bone marrow biopsy during our next visit but he doesn't think that will necessarily tell him anything. Not sure what I was expecting but I was hoping for a quick fix. I am sick of waiting for my body to recover, we gave it a new liver so come on... what else do you want?? I want to get on with my life and stop these damn injections that make my bones hurt and my muscles spasm. My Doctor isn't keen on me returning to work while still on Neupogen injections and returning to work is my last hurdle to validate I will live a normal life. It's like a double edge sword.... I know I need to have patience and let my body recover but it's hard when overall I feel good and want to rejoin the traffic on Sunrise! 

I did get some good news during my visit, my ANC count went from 500 yesterday to 1200 today so bubble life was less than 24 hours! Now I can use my Old Navy Groupon that expires on Saturday..... Priorities people!! 

PS... Please send prayers to the patients that were in the waiting room of my Hematologist who is also an Oncologist. I was saddened to see some very sick people and hope they kick some Cancer ass. Makes my situation seem easy.

Six Months for real this time

Happy Six months to my new liver. This is the second time celebrating this milestone since I counted wrong last month but regardless of celebrating it twice, today is a BIG day. I hope my donor and their family can feel the love I am sending them today and everyday. My donor and transplant team gave me a second chance at life. Not many people will have that opportunity and although it hasn't been all puppies and rainbows I am grateful for the gift of life that I was given. The love and support of my friends and family has been overwhelming and I could not have survived this crazy ordeal without them. Lets have one big group hug!


On this six month anniversary I am happy to report that my liver is doing great! My white blood count and the other hand is not. My absolute neutrophill counts continues to be low and the adjustment to meds have not helped so I have been referred to a Hematologist( a blood specialist). He will run some more tests and try to figure out why my blood is acting like such a Diva!  Again, life has proved me wrong......I was so bummed to not be able to go back to work but it was a blessing in disguise.  I have been in my bubble all week and how horrible it would have been to call in sick on my first day back at work!! Just proves that my Doctors continue to be smarter than me! 

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." -- Oprah Winfrey