The last month has been pretty full on and very enjoyable. The warmer weather has come and its not bothering me except having to be super careful as I burnt when it rained yesterday. We have been celebrating a birthday or even two a week. For my birthday we had things on over 4 days and I was able to stay up late and have the energy to keep going. Joe and the kids bought a bike for me to go riding with the kids so I can keep up with them and go further. I would never had had the balance, leg strength or energy to do this without HSCT. It was truely lovely to have a birthday free of MS symptoms!

This was followed up by the Robbie concert, general admission standing. We got there early to ensure we had a good spot and nothing beats front row! I stood for majority of the time, from 6pm till he finished at 10.40ish. I sat for probably around half an hour before the warm up band ‘Lawson’ started and then danced and wore my wedges the whole night. I may have had a helping hand from the barrier I was leaning up against, but I definitely would never had been able to stand that long before my treatment. After partying since Friday I found I needed to sleep all of Wednesday though hehe.

I am finding I am managing great through the days but am needing early nights and therefore not being able to do all my chores once the kids are asleep. This is because life is hectic with 2 small kids and I am doing a lot more now as life is back in full swing in terms of me doing all my mum duties and not being home as much, especially when Joe is away with work for the 2 weeks out of the month.

So the last month has been great but are you ready for the exciting news….I have hit 6 months since my transplant! It is not a magical ‘safe’ point as the recovery rollercoaster will continue for around 2 years, having good and bad days and still needing to exercise common sense and caution with my immune system, it is a milestone in my journey for a few reasons…

1. I will be returning to work on Monday eeek! I will go back to my 3 days as I was previously doing and I am hopeful that I will be able to complete these as full days, but work are willing to see how it goes. I will ease back into it, and have great support at work to allow me to return as needed, and I have done the return to work inductions after both my kiddies and my massive attack so I am very grateful to my workplace for making it less daunting than it needs to be.

2. I saw Dr Lewis on Wednesday and he has said that my 6 month bloods are looking fine and has given me the all clear for where I should be at this stage. He said to stop the pentamidine inhaler now and to see him in 3 months time. He also advised I can get my ensuite finished now too YAY!

Hemoglobin = 128
Leukocytes = 6.1
Platelets = 266
Neutrophils = 4.5

3. AND MY FIRST MRI WAS COMPLETED!
Wednesday I had my first MRI since the one in Moscow. This was a full brain and spine. I had the scan done in the morning, then went back to pick up the report and films after my appointment with Dr Lewis but they weren’t quite ready… I explained how anxious I was to see the results so the kind receptionist called me when I was 2 minutes from home to say they were now done. So we had dinner and Joseph and I couldn’t wait to see them so we headed back into town to get them. Even Bianca was soo excited she came in with me to collect in her PJ’S.

Now, I must say that I have not been one to have new lesions or enhancement activity on every scan I had completed. Ever since my last major attack the drug I was on, tysabri, seemed to be keeping things at bay pretty well but I needed to come off it
as I was at risk of PML because I was positive for JC virus antibody.

So, have I kept you in suspense long enough? ….

HSCT HAS WORKED FOR ME!!!!!!
My scan showed no new lesions, stable T2 and no disease activity!

This is the very first scan I have had since the treatment and as time goes on we will be hoping for the same results at 1 year post and every year after that. I know that I haven’t felt this good since being pregnant and (as Jane says) I am getting all the bonus gifts with the purchase of halting this terrible disease! Getting up of the floor is my happy place every time. I am forever grateful to every single one of you who helped me get to Russia, supported my journey so far and am truely truely blessed to have been able to share it with you all and give hope to other people with MS that this is the best way forward at preventing disease progression!

From the bottom of my heart thank you Dr Fedorenko, Nikolai, Anastasia and nurses and all of YOU who helped me make it to AA Maximov to be under their love and care and receive my new life! xxxxx