Stem Cell Transplant Postponed

This week was supposed to be a nice, peaceful week off before the start of the chemotherapy that would mark the beginning of my transplant process. Thursday morning, I had some routine tests; mostly blood work, but also a Covid test.

Friday morning, I called the transplant team as I had developed a runny nose and sore throat. Late Friday afternoon, a transplant nurse called me back and explained, “Based on your test results and these new symptoms, we’re going to have to postpone your stem cell transplant.”

I burst into tears on the phone.

My symptoms are very mild as I have only a runny nose and a minor cough. I am grateful my doctor agreed to me taking Paxlovid to help my immunocompromised body fight off this infection.

At this time, I have no information about when my transplant will be. I have a virtual appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday and I am hopeful she’ll have some news about when it'll be rescheduled.

To say I am devastated is an understatement. I’m trying to find the silver lining in all of this, and I’m not doing a very good job of it. They say bad things come in threes. In the past year, I was diagnosed with cancer, diagnosed with a second cancer, and now have had my stem cell transplant postponed. I am done with having bad things happen. It’s time for my world to start looking a little brighter.