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!