Kelly brings up some good issues.

I am an introvert which doesn't mean, in my situation, that I sit in the corner and avoid people.  it means I draw my energy from being alone, I spend it easily when I'm around people.  I've always driven my wife crazy because I tend not to talk much unless I've got a hair up my butt about something.  I'm not into chit chat.  She's naturally gregarious.

When I was in treatment, post chemo, I really retreated into myself.  It was a coping mechanism.  It was a way to energize myself.  It was also a way to process what the hell had just happened to me.

I was able to engage in conversation, I was aware my wife was around, I was able to express gratitude.  But I'm just barely over the line between extrovert and introvert (according to the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator...I have tested out that way numerous times).

If he's a deep introvert, he might be okay in the long run.

On the other hand, Kelly mentioned sepression.  It could be a sign of that.  If he's generally more outgoing, I'd talk to the doc about possibly getting him a psych screening.  There could be something eating at him and that wouldn't be good for hi recovery over the long run.

Blessings

Hey Christinia! Sometimes I'm finding out as a caregiver at times I have to take myself emotionally out of the problem.It helps me to think clearer.It also helps Todd because when I have meltdowns in front of him, he seem's to feel guilty about being sick and all.I know it's hard,but the positive side of it is he has had a transplant which is a major step on his road to recovery.Hang in there.And try to take care of you're self as well.We are just as importantHope it goes smoother for you and you're hubby in the coming weeks.

There's no reason to feel guilty.  You can only live your life and non one else can do it for you.  The fact other people are having problems in no way diminishes the fact you're enduring your own.  You have every right to your feelings...they're yours.

My liver enzymes have been out of whack at least since my SCT.  (Who paid attention to them before?)  Two of them just recently hit the norms.  The phosphates went the other way.

Hang in there.  Things get better.

Blessings

Hi Christina,

I was wondering how John was doing, so I am glad to see your post and celebrate the good news from the BMB with you!  It sounds like he's doing as well as he can be at this stage of the game.  Hope those new cells are in there doing their thing, getting everything back in order in his bone marrow.  (And slapping any remaining 11q23's off their feet!)  Keep us posted, and tell John, "so far, so good". 

- WBF

Christina, glad to hear from you and good news to boot. The eating will come back, so much of that is the way things taste, and any residual nausea he might have. The fact that things don't taste the way they should is a lot more frustrating and powerful a factor for not wanting to eat than anyone realizes, unless you are experiencing it yourself. It's more than just that metallic chemo taste, it hard to describe to somebody else. But that's what made me lose thirty pounds, luckily the taste for food comes back eventually. But I remember being soooo frustrated about food at the point he's at. And begging my doctor to tell me when my tastebuds would be normal again. Anyway, hope things continue along well. And as far as the cytos, I think you just have to practice the power of positive thinking as much as you can. Thanks for the update, glad for no GVHD signs and being 100% donor!

Pam