Hairy Mel's transition to Hairless Mel: After the Stem cell transplant

Hi there,
I'm well. As you know I am now recovering after having had the stem cell transplant (SCT) (my own stem cells).

A few days after the transplant as expected my blood count went through the floor and I was seriously neutropenic - at high risk of infection. Then it was for me to dodge infection until I was no longer neutropenic (Thursday 16th - day 9 post transplant). Luckily I did very well and missed out on any infections! The following day, Friday, they let me come home - with strict instructions to stay indoors. I've been home now 12 days, initially I was a little under the weather but ok. I was experiencing an upset stomach and nausea. However a chat with the support nurses led me to continue using the anti-nausea tablets regardless of 'apparent need' ie. even if feeling good. This has kept me well and I am now feeling good in myself. This treatment was certainly the hashest I have received, they told me that, but you tend to say to yourself "I did ok on the others!" - WRONG!!
Having left hospital the next steps are to again let my bloods recover to a 'normal' level, gain some fitness and muscle - I've lost 13 kilos in weight since November & based on BMI am not 'overweight' (Kyle disputes that!) Ha Ha. I will also head back to work and hopefully a very long and healthy remission. Of course, all this treatment has meant that my nice new hair has once again been flushed down the drain!! Ha Ha.

Our family are all well, thankfully.
Kathryn returned to Pittsburgh from London (Olympic city!!!) on 19th, it's her last year at California Uni. of Pennsylvania studying psychology.
Hayley is at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) studying primary education year 1.
Kyle is in year 11, so the big year next year!!
Liz is, as usual, very busy at work and we are trying to arrange a holiday, constrained somewhat by my weakened health and Kyles requirements for Triathlon training!! We have been severely limited since November in that I've had to be in striking distance of hospitals in case of infection.
Anyway I'm hoping to be 'back to normal' blood count wise in the next few weeks or so. I see Tony again in October, having seen him today.

Thanks for following the blog, it's been great to know that friends have 'got my back'. I really think the blog has been a great vehicle to keep me sane and everyone informed, I know many have found it informative and even entertaining!! Some haven't liked it for their own personal reasons, and I've been able to keep them separately informed. So from now on Hairy's journey is to stay in remission and I'll just be updating after the 3 monthly reviews starting in mid October. Hopefully there won't be much to say!

Thanks to you all for being there - below are some piccies of my wonderful support crew - the first photo was a professional photo taken before I lost my hair, and in those first hectic days of discovery! The constant in this journey has been my beautiful wife Liz and of course the demon threesome.