Welcome back. I took some time to focus on just getting through the low point the last week or two. The back half of my hospital stay was about as rough as expected, so I’ll be playing catch-up with the next post or two.
I am doing much better now, and I did manage to jot down some high-level notes along the way, so here’s how days +4 through +10 unfolded.
Disclaimer: Every stem cell transplant experience is different. This is mine.
Monday, August 18th | Day +4
Medical
During morning rounds, most of the focus was on the rash that developed over the last couple of days. The leading theory is that it’s from one of the drugs I’ve been on, so they switched me to an alternative that should clear things up. It looks rough, but they aren’t worried.
I was also given some medication for post-nasal drip, which I had been dealing with a bit today. It seems to have helped.
Received final dose of Cytoxan (chemo).
Physical
Very nauseous today. I didn’t sleep well, and with the added post-nasal drip, my stomach has felt unsettled all day.
Mental + Emotional
I’m noticing a pattern where the harder physical days also end up being the harder mental ones. It helps to recognize that though. Knowing the low points have a cause and won’t last forever makes them easier to handle.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Saltines & Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar
Lunch: Chicken Tenders, Green Beans, & Brown Rice
Dinner: Saltines
Snacks: N/A
Weight: N/A
Note: No appetite today. Everything tastes like mucus.
Media
Tuesday, August 19th | Day +5
Medical
Started the morning by peeing blood. Would not recommend. The urine analysis came back clear, no UTI, so the leading culprit is the Cytoxan (chemo) which I finished yesterday. The team’s advice: drink plenty of fluids to keep things moving and lower the risk of clotting.
I’ve also developed a bit of a dry cough. Two nasal swabs came back clear, so the current thinking is chemo-related inflammation. The throat is a common spot for that to show up. Nothing immediately concerning, but something we’ll be keeping an eye on.
Physical
Feeling a bit better today on the nausea front. That said, it seems like every time one issue eases up, another one takes its place. Medical whack-a-mole.
Mental + Emotional
Feeling a bit frustrated today. Facing setbacks before the transplant has even had a chance to take hold is tough, but I’m doing my best to stay level-headed.
Exercise
Got in a short 5–10 minutes on the exercise bike and a 10-minute hallway walk.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Saltines
Lunch: Penne w/ Marinara & Green Beans
Dinner: Penne w/ Marinara, Chicken, & Green Beans
Snacks: Pudding & Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar
Weight: 143.8
Note: Better appetite today.
Media
Wednesday August 20th | Day +6
Medical
The team started me on two new medications today to help with the blood-in-urine issue. They also offered pain medicine if needed, since it has been pretty uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this can happen as a side effect of Cytoxan, and it’s definitely one of the less enjoyable ones.
That said, the team was reassuring. They reminded me that everything I’m dealing with so far (cough, blood in urine, rash) should heal in time. It’s just a matter of pushing through the rough patches before things start to turn the corner.
Physical
Didn’t sleep much at all last night, and I definitely felt it today. Running on empty and very tired.
Mental + Emotional
Mentally, I feel better today than I did yesterday, even though some of my symptoms have progressed. I feel lighter and more confident that these issues will eventually resolve.
Exercise
Managed a 10-15 minute walk in the hallway.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Saltines & Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar
Lunch: Saltines & Animal Crackers
Dinner: Penne w/ Marinara & Green Beans
Snacks: Diced Peaches
Weight: 143.6
Note: Not much appetite today, still tried to get some food down as I am sure it will only get worse in the appetite department.
Media
Thursday, August 21st | Day +7
Medical
Started a few new things today. I received electrolytes (magnesium and potassium) since my levels have been running low, and that will probably become more common over the next few days. I also had my first platelet transfusion. My count is still above the usual threshold for needing one, but the team’s thinking is that it could help with the drug rash and also reduce the risk of clotting in my urine.
During rounds, I asked about my elevated heart rate. Normally, I sit in the 40–50 bpm range, but lately I’ve been consistently between 70–100. The team reassured me that it’s relatively common at this stage. Between the chemo, all the pills, dehydration, and low counts, the stress on the body adds up and a faster heart rate is one way it shows.
Physical
Wearing the fatigue like a weighted blanket today. I slept through a good chunk of the afternoon. On top of that, my bowel movements have become pretty irregular, which has kept me on my toes. Apparently that’s very common. Wish it wasn’t.
Mental + Emotional
Feeling a bit down today. I miss my life back home. I know I’m getting closer every day, but sometimes reminding myself of that just isn’t enough.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Saltines & Pudding
Lunch: Almonds, Cliff Bar, & Pistachios
Dinner: Almonds & Popsicle
Snacks: N/A
Weight: 141.4
Note: No appetite. I am able to keep stuff down but I am far from excited about actually eating anything.
Media
Friday, August 22nd | Day +8
Medical
Another platelet transfusion this morning, along with more electrolytes. When it comes to receiving more platelets, the team tends to keep a closer eye on you during the transfusion to make sure there’s no adverse reaction to the product. So far, I haven’t had any issues.
Physical
Everything feels heavy today. Not sure that makes complete sense, but it’s the best way I can put it. I ended up sleeping most of the afternoon again after being up quite a bit last night.
Mental + Emotional
It’s tough being this tired all the time, but I think I’m holding up pretty well mentally. My counts should start to rebound soon, and I’m trying to keep that milestone front and center in my mind.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Toast & Chocolate Milk
Dinner: Almonds, Pudding, & Popsicle
Snacks: N/A
Weight:143.5
Note: Been avoiding the hospital cafeteria. Have had enough at this point. No real appetite anyhow.
Media
Saturday, August 23rd | Day +9
Medical
Received more platelets and electrolytes again today as my levels are still consistently low across the board. The team feels I am making good progress with my various issues, and they are right: some of the problems appear to be improving. Still a long road ahead, though.
Physical
Exhausted. No other way to put it.
Mental + Emotional
Didn’t love hearing the estimates for when my counts might start to rebound today. I received a bone marrow product, which can sometimes take longer to engraft than peripheral stem cells. I’ll dive into the details about the donor, product, and decisions behind it in a separate post eventually, but for now, the key takeaway is that my recovery might start later than the typical day +14 milestone.
Exercise
N/A – The exercise bike was taken away today. With my energy levels and low platelets, there was no point in keeping it around any longer.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Almonds, Chocolate Milk, & Popsicle
Dinner: Toast
Snacks: Saltines
Weight: N/A
Note: No appetite.
Media
Sunday, August 24th | Day +10
Medical
Received more platelets and electrolytes today. The inevitable mouth sores have started, a side effect of all the chemo. They’re not too bad yet, but mucositis usually gets worse before it gets better. Can’t wait.
That said, a lot of my other ailments are making progress. Like I mentioned before, it feels like every time one area improves, another issue pops up. Hoping that trend ends soon and we start seeing consistent progress all around.
Physical
Very fatigued today and spent the afternoon napping again. Ended up throwing up in the evening, likely from the sugar in the popsicle I was eating at the time.
Mental + Emotional
Struggling today. Every day still brings me one step closer.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Toast & Cliff Bar
Dinner: Toast & Popsicle
Snacks: N/A
Weight: 140.9
Note: No appetite.
Media
Closing Thoughts
One step forward, two steps back, that seemed to be the name of the game this week. While the setbacks were discouraging, my care team did a great job reminding me that all of my ailments are within the normal range for someone going through a transplant.
Reassuring? Absolutely. Fun to experience? Not at all. Like everything else, though, this too shall pass.
Talk Soon,
– Ethan
Resources
External links directly referenced in this article:
Long Way From Home 
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