Category: HSCT

• Guest Author: Notes from the Mom

  

  No matter my age, when things get rough, I want my mom. I asked her to write about her thoughts and feelings for other moms and caregivers.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  June 2, 2022

  Guest Post, HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, family, HSCT, mom, mom and daughter, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, New diagnosis, support

• Hair

  

  So this is one milestone that was weird, quirky and fun. The cause behind it is intense, but for me, the loss of my hair was no big deal.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  June 1, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  bald, cancer, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, hair loss, haircut, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, shaved head

• Doctor’s Orders: Rest & Relaxation

  

  My soul focus until I’m admitted for my month-long stay in a few weeks, is rest and relaxation.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 27, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, HSCT, HSCT warrior, MS, Multiple Sclerosis

• Stem Cell Harvest

  

  On Monday of this week I reported to Taussig for apheresis or the less fancy term, stem cell harvest to capture my future immune system.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 26, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  apheresis, Cleveland Clinic, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, stem cell, stem cell harvest

• Chemotherapy & Releasing Body Shame

  

  There is no shame in the human body, only humility. What our bodies can withstand, persevere through and come out from, is nothing short of miraculous.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 24, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  body acceptance, body image, chemo, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, cytoxan, HSCT, humility, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, shame

• 911 & My Hospital Admission

  

  I’m an overthinker by nature. There is a huge difference between planning and preparation and being in the thick of it. I’m in it. I’m living it. It’s my reality.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 21, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  911, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, emergency, HSCT, inpatient, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, nadir

• Guest Author: Observations from Chemotherapy

  

  Wednesday was a hard day, and I was just an observer and a pack mule. My perspective is one of friend, caregiver and all-around sassy, judgement-filled short person.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 15, 2022

  Guest Post, HSCT, MS

  anger, best friend, cancer, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, cytoxan, depression, feelings, friendship, helplessness, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis

• And We’re Off!

  

  Yesterday I started my day with labs and an appointment with my oncologist before heading to a different location for the insertion of my chest catheter in preparation for HSCT.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 10, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  catheter, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, compassion, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, nurses, operating room, safety, surgery

• Prepping My Freezer

  

  I’ve spent the weeks leading up to my stem cell transplant harvest prepping my freezer. My increased fatigue and decreased mobility and stability force me to be selective what I cook and when.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 6, 2022

  Food, HSCT, MS

  bone broth, chemo, chemotherapy, chicken stock, Chronic Illness, coconut rice, freezer, ginger, HSCT, Ina, Ina Garten, lemon, meal prep, MS, soup

• Update on the 7T MRI

  

  Research is important to further our understanding and treatment of disease, but this scan was brutal. Would I do it again for research? Yes. Was it “well tolerated” as they say in medicine? Decidedly no.

  ChronicLibraryCD

  May 3, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  7t, brain health, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, hospital, HSCT, medical research, MRI, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, radiology, research, scan