When you have been diagnosed with, and are fighting, a life-threatening disease, you set goals around medical milestones.
The first 100 days after stem cell transplant are a big deal as far as rejection, infections, survival.
Stopping anti-rejection medications is the next milestone.
Each clean biopsy.
The 1-year mark when you can begin vaccines.
The 2-year mark when you begin the second, and stronger, series of vaccines.
The 2-year post-stem cell transplant point is a big one as far as Acute Myeloid Leukemia statistics.
Last week, at 27-months post-transplant, I went to see my transplant doctor and to have my antibody titers measured to see if I needed any vaccine boosters. When the doctor walked in the room, I had my list of topics and my pen ready. My husband was on speaker phone. I was ready to hear that I didn’t need to have blood work for 6 months but the words he spoke were other than those I expected.
Here are the magical words I heard instead: “You are 27 months post-transplant. You are good. Go live your life. Go be normal. Forget about this place and what you have been through. Your PCP can take over now. You do not need to see me again.”
I am still processing these words. Naturally, I will never forget. I use it as fuel every day. More about that another time. For now, we celebrate.
Be a life saver: join.bethematch.org/jennifersmission
More about my stem cell transplant:
Jennifer says
Hello Lauren – thank you so much for taking the time to comment and cheering me on all this time!
Lauren A says
Huge News. I’ve been following your journey after I started following you on IG years ago (prior to all of this) and I’m so happy for you.
Jennifer says
Thank you!
Jennifer says
And you will always be such a special part of it!
Jennifer says
Thank you friend!
Nancy Boutot says
Oh Jenn, that is the most beautiful sentence! I’m beyond thrilled for you and your family!! Sending so much love and joy to you and yours!!
denise says
Jennifer!!!! This is the most fantastic news I have heard in such a long time. I am beyond happy for your and as your doctor said, “go live your life”. Live it to the fullest every damn day, and keep being the amazing woman you are!!!
Uchenna Ohajunwa says
GO LIVE YOUR LIFE..!!!
👏🏾💃🏽❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👍🏽
Jennifer says
Thank you!
Jennifer says
Thank you!
Maggie L CONLEY says
Hallelujah – amen!
Nancy Friedman says
FANTASTIC!