Never Been Sick a Day in My Life

I've been asked the question, "if your blood counts have returned to normal, why do you need to be so careful?" The answer to the question lies in my bone marrow, which produces my cells.

It's true - I'm about a week away from having normal levels of all of my blood cells. However, the cell 'factories', which are located in the bone marrow, are staffed by very immature baby stem cells. They don't have the maturity to produce large amounts of cells should I get sick and need them. It takes nearly a year for these cells to reach a maturity level where I can handle the real world.

Also, it's interesting to note that while my body is being staffed with blood cells prior to the procedure, my stem cells are brand new. I am now biologically equivalent to a newborn baby - I've never been sick a day in my life. I have lost all of my childhood immunizations. Every resistance to every cold and flu I've picked up in my 32 years of life has been erased. A new immune system really means a new immune system.

However, there are some intriguing benefits to this 'reboot'. I have always been allergic to a number of things since I was a kid - grass, pollen, mold, animal hairs. As a teenager, I was required to take allergy shots for nearly 7 years. Last year, I went to the allergist and found that I'm still allergic to everything under the sun. Well, allergies are caused by reactions by your T-cells. I've got a new set now, so there's a chance that some or all of these previous allergies are now gone. Only time will tell.

Until then, my life will be split into three periods:

• Day+0 to 90: My immune system is critically vulnerable to all types of germs and infection. I will need to avoid anything that could make me sick (people, pets, young children). I will live a sheltered, hermit-like existance and avoid large groups of people at all costs. When around a potential threat, I must wear a mask (and gloves if I use my hands). I will carry a bottle of hand sanitizer that I must apply many times a day.
  
• Day+91 t0 180: My immune system will start to be able to handle basic infections, although not at a level of a healthy person. I will be able to live a normal life, but still require a mask in large groups or around sick people.
• Day+181 to 365: My immune system will be nearly rebuilt, but I will be still vulnerable to basic colds and other infections I've 'forgotten' about. I will no longer require a mask, but will need to use 'common sense' to avoid getting sick.

It's Day + 15. Time to huddle on the couch and read a book.