The last 2 weeks have been mostly just check-ins with my transplant team and transfusions while awaiting my transplant. I also had pre-transplant appointments with the radiation team, oral medicine team, psychiatrist, pharmacist, nutritionist, and gynecologist. 

The pharmacy and radiation appointments were daunting, and hearing all of the potential short and long term side effects was intense. It truly feels like I’m having to harm my body to cure my body and that is a hard pill to swallow. The long term side effects of course won’t be known for awhile but I’m staying hopeful that my transplant will be successful and I won’t have long term damage from the chemo/radiation. No matter what, I know that this transplant is the best chance I have at living a normal life,  and I am grateful I live in an era where this sort of technology is available. 

As I’m writing this, I’m feeling all the feels because this is my last week at home with my fur babies and my husband for a few months. The hospital will be my new home for the next 4-6 weeks, and then I will have to stay in an apartment in Seattle for a few months. After 100 days—as long as I am healthy and doing well—I will get to go back home. 

Next Friday (3/8), I go in and get my Hickman line placed. Saturday I will be shaving my head in preparation for chemo.  Sunday I will be admitted to UW and my conditioning will begin. 

It’s a lot to think about. In my heart I feel ultimately I will be okay, but right now I’m at the bottom of the mountain and I have a lot of climbing to do. 

Thank you for those of you who are following my journey and continue to support me. I am so grateful for the kind words and actions that help to fuel my motivation as I climb my version of Everest.