Birthday (Day 0)

Today was the most important day in the procedure. This is the day that I recieved my stem cells back after the chemotherapy. Without the stem cell infusion, I would not be able to survive the procedure. That's why they call it my 'birthday'. From now on, my progress will be dated as of today. For example, tomorrow will be 'Day+1', Sunday will be 'Day+2', etc...

Here's a picture of a nurse 'warming up' one the of four bags that I received. Total stem cells: 10 million, or a little over half of what they took out of me.

There's not much more to say, as I have been very drugged up throughout the course of the day. I do know that my blood cell counts are still normal, and that everything is going as planned.

Since I started the drugs I haven't been feeling very well. They are doing a good job against nausea, but my appetite is still awful. I have been started on a neutropenic diet as my body loses its ability to deal with food-bourne bacteria.

The doctor said that I would feel a little better over the weekend before the chemo starts to really kick in, around Day+7 or Day+8.