My Bone Marrow Transplant: Day 8-10

LOCATION: Vanderbilt University Hospital - Stem Cell Unit
DATE: 8.22.12-8.24.12    DAY: 8-10
MOOD:  Miserable.
MENTAL STATE:  Tire of being in the hospital.
PHYSICAL STATE:  Very weak.  Muscle aches.

I decided to combine these three days because they passed in generally the same manner. I woke up each day feeling very drained and physically tired and pretty much rotten.  My stomach was nauseated, my body ached, and it seemed as though I had no energy whatsoever.

Every afternoon, however, I felt better.  It was as though it took me until 2-3 in the afternoon for my body to snap out of it.  I had eaten part of a blueberry muffin on day 8 and paid for it in painful stomach cramps on days 9 and 10.  The mucositis was even more painful now that it was down in my gut.

The evenings were filled with restless sleep and more body aches. It felt as though I had the flu.  Day 10 seem to be the longest day in the hospital I've experienced.  It never wanted to end.  Having felt so poorly I was unable to focus on a computer and did not feel like writing.  The doctors believed this was the natural slump of the transplant and that in a week's time I should feel much better, especially after engraftment.