Delayed by a Cold Virus

• So, all systems were go until last Friday afternoon when I felt the onset of some very mild hay fever or cold symptoms.  It was not something that would normally be worth noting–particularly since there’s now lots of pollen in the air here now–but I mentioned it to the nurse, she immediately took a sample to test me for a range of cold and flu viruses, and the results came back this morning positive for a coronavirus, one variety of which causes the common cold.  Ugh.
• What this means is that the conditioning chemo and radiation for my transplant is temporarily on hold.  By Friday, after another virus test, we may have a better sense of how much of a delay to expect.  If things clear up, I may be able to get started next week.
• At this point, with my leukemia still controlled by the last two months of chemo and meds, it’s better to delay the transplant so that I can clear this cold.  Unlike some other viruses (e.g., influenza), which can really run amok in immuno-suppressed transplant patients, there’s not lots of data on how serious a risk it is to go to transplant with a coronavirus.  Still, the doctors say that it’s prudent to wait a bit to see if I can get rid of it.
• The delay is, of course, frustrating, given how much I have been anticipating the transplant, and how long we’ve been waiting already.  But it also means that I can enjoy another week of quasi-normal life.  My brother’s visiting from Vermont again, and the girls have an end-of-year theatrical performance at school later in the week.  We’ll make good use of the time.
• I continue to be strengthened by all of your support.  Thank you.