Building Back the Immune System

September 24, 2025

Sorry. I know its been a few weeks since my last update or post. After an extended trip to Memorial Sloan Kettering for discussions about my bone marrow transplant and a review of my current oncology plan, my main focus has been rebuilding my immune system. I’ve been doing regular labs, and the good news is that for the past two weeks the numbers have been climbing on their own. That means no transfusions, no extra blood or platelets, just my body slowly repairing itself. Those may sound like small victories, but they feel enormous when you’re living them.

We’ve also adjusted my chemo regimen to strike a delicate balance: strong enough to keep fighting the cancer, but not so aggressive that it wipes out my immune system completely. The goal is still to make it to transplant, but before we do, I’ll undergo an exploratory biopsy of my tumors to rule out any hidden complications. Encouragingly, the main tumor has shrunk and is now split into three smaller parts, a sign that the treatments are doing their job.

Rediscovering Food

One of the most encouraging changes has been the return of my appetite. For weeks, food felt like a chore, something I forced myself to do because I knew my body needed the fuel. Now, I’m actually hungry again. Meals have become something to look forward to rather than endure. Even simple foods: toast, soup, a piece of fruit, feel like small luxuries. It’s amazing how regaining an appetite can restore not just energy, but also a sense of normalcy and joy.

Living With Neuropathy

The biggest hurdle right now is neuropathy, a common side effect of chemotherapy. For me, it shows up as tingling and numbness, mostly in my left foot, but also in both hands. Chemo drugs don’t just target cancer cells; they can also damage nerves, which is why so many patients develop this condition. It’s frustrating because it affects balance, coordination, and even simple tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking without discomfort.

I’m doing what I can: stretching, moving, and practicing exercises to maintain mobility and circulation. Some days the sensations are just annoying; other days they feel numb, like they are in a state of being asleep. But the key is to keep going, exercise, move, stretch, repeat. The neuropathy may not vanish overnight, but with patience and persistence, I’m hoping to regain some control and comfort.

Moving Forward

Every step, every lab result, every regained appetite or moment of movement feels like progress. Some days the path feels long, but each small victory adds up. For now, I’m focused on healing, building strength, and taking the next steps toward transplant.

One step at a time, forward.