10 Months (Day +306)

Time is flying by now.  At the beginning, it felt like a year would never get here.  Now, it's around the corner.

We've been discovering, exploring, being outside as much as we can.  It's a very different change of pace from what we've been used to.

We've been fixing up our house to sell.  I've been able to help and do lots...things I never would have had energy for before HSCT.  Replacing blinds, air vent registers, door knobs, light fixtures, mudding, sanding, painting, moving and lifting boxes and furniture.

We are getting excited about our next home and look forward to this part being done.  It has taken a lot time to fix our house that had been neglected for 5 years.  When I got sick with CIDP, we had a new baby and we didn't know what was wrong with me.  Our life went from joyful moments, to those of fear and dread and in turn, we neglected our home.  We piled boxes in the basement instead of going through them because we didn't have the energy to deal with them.  Simple repairs weren't ever simple and often involved more time than we (my husband) had to give.  I had no extra energy to spare towards anything but living.

As I look back on my CIDP life, I realize just how bad I felt, how much pain I was constantly in, how little sleep I got because of the pain, how miserable life had become on my IVIG.  I think that in order to survive it, I blocked out a lot of it.  It seems that every treatment reality would come barreling in.  When the vomiting and migraines began, my thought life wasn't healthy.  The darkness always crept in...those were the moments/days when I wanted to give up and stop fighting.

For me, HSCT, saved my life in more ways than one.  I don't know how long my CIDP will be in remission.  But I do know, I don't take any day for granted.  Every step I take now, I know that it is a gift.  I was so close to losing my ability to walk...I still can't believe it some days.

So, happy 10 months to me!  :)