Avi's Lymphoma

Another week at home passed by. And just as it started, we got a taste of what my doctor predicted, namely that GVHD will start to manifest itself one way or another. He was even more specific, saying that rejection symptoms typically start around the 3 rd   month after transplant, and that usually the new immune system attacks the skin, the mouth or the digestion system. For me, it was the first two. I have developed some sores on my gums and tongue, and over the past weekend developed a rash in many parts, especially hands and feet. The combination of these, some quite painful, with the neuropathic pains, gave me a few sleep deprived nights. Describing these in e-mail to my doctor (they are very good with reading and responding to messages!) caused him to call me for inspection in NY.   Well, medicine does have solutions to some problems (certainly the transplant itself is a huge example): a combination of a new neuropathic medication prescribed by a pain doctor (MSK has...

A week at home passed quickly, and we are getting back into the old routine. Edna is back to work (she never stopped working in NY, but now she is actually going to work). I went to IAS only one day this week, just in time to see the geese who visit every year to poop all over the Institute’s lawns. Then I realized (and this was stressed in an IAS-wide e-mail) that the flu virus is very active there (as everywhere else), quite a few people were sick and I had better stay away. Some of my group members came to visit me at home, one at a time, and sitting at safe distance. I plan to continue going, but not too often, mainly on seminar days, until it is safer. Edna and I had friends at home, went to a restaurant once, and of course visited our favorite Small World Coffee in town, which we missed dearly, a few times when it is not too crowded. The balance between avoiding infection and just living has to be maintained somehow – I hope I don’t catch anything! The medical visits natu...

Thanks to Tal and Yaeli who carried, drove, carried some more! Thanks for all the balloons, welcome home decorations, and good wishes. It's good to be home!

Another week flew by. All visitors left a week ago, and so did Edna who went for a week to Israel (as I write this she reported landing back at Newark, and will soon be back here!). I stayed at home with Yuval for the week. This quality time was spent on walks, biking, museums, movies, and long chats on everything, including math! We went a few times to restaurants, something I started gently about 2 weeks ago. Like movies we try to go to places at times that are relatively sparsely populated, although we don't always succeed. And like museums, I wear my mask, except when eating... Of course I eat only cooked food, but there is plenty to choose from. Yuval also cooked most evenings. Unlike his siblings who were always into cooking, for him this is a relatively new hobby, but he is a quick study and it was all yummy! My blood numbers are improving, and I am keep getting stronger physically. Even my fatigue is getting better slowly, and I can concentrate for longer periods. I re...