BLOG 52

27 November 2014

Hello All, TRANSPLANT UPDATE (DELAY DUE TO A VIRUS): I was all ready to go for admission tomorrow and chemo on Saturday, progressing to transplant. However, I got an urgent call from my transplant doctor this morning to say that we needed to delay transplant (for a 2nd time) for at least a couple of weeks or longer. I have a virus in my throat and nose, probably picked up when out in the community or via my children's school. I avoid going out as much as possible, however with kids - they bring everything home, even if they don't show symptoms themselves.

We all wash our hands a lot and sometimes that is not enough. The virus is called 'Adenovirus' - is caught/harboured usually between the ages of 5-18. Mixed with transplant, this virus could have killed me. Adenovirus infections range from the common cold syndrome to pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. Patients with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to severe complications of adenovirus infection. I'm so glad that I chose to tell my doctor last week that I had a minor sore throat, which developed into a slight cold this week. We did a nasal swab on Tuesday.

So, we have a bit more time up our sleeves - as we wait for this virus to clear and re-align with my donor, somewhere overseas, who has probably taken time off work, etc to have his stem cell's harvested, hospital appointments overseas have to be cancelled and remade and flights have to be cancelled for the scientist transporting the stem cells. I have been told that this happens 10% of the time. However, I am glad I have a doctor who is taking no risks and wants to make sure that we progress as safely as possible. I am also very glad we did that nose swab.

Thank you for reading,
Much Love,
Jodie & The Guerrero Family xx