The update 

I’d always intended to update my original blog post-transplant. You can read it here.

I’m pleased to say I had my stem cell transplant on 26^th September 2018, and thankfully my body managed to hold up pretty well to the 4 days of chemotherapy leading up to this.

Exactly 12 days post-transplant my blood counts started to pick up for the first time in over 6 months! I can’t describe what a great feeling it was getting my blood counts back that day and realising I was finally on the road to recovery.

Recovery 

Despite this, the road to recovery was still long. I was only able to travel on public transport again early January, and then finally able to return to work at the beginning of March. My work was very understanding throughout the whole process and allowed me to phase my return to work and slowly build up my hours again. It took 6 weeks before I was back full time, which helped me to adjust to the fatigue of a working day.

I found out on 25^th July at my most recent appointment that I’ll only be on immunosuppressive drugs for another month! Which is another milestone I’m very happy to tick off.

I’m so grateful to all the staff of University College London Hospital/Macmillan Centre who have looked after me since diagnosis. Thank you for taking the time to read my story!

 Blog by Jerome, Aplastic Anaemia survivor