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500 HSCT Patient Specials | I regretted it before HSCT

In her second year since her HSCT, 50-year-old Liu has reignited her dream of "travelling the world" and plans to start traveling again and begain a fresh chapter in her life. Three years ago, Ms Liu,who loved sports and fitness and had always prided herself on her health, was unexpectedly diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MDS/MPN).  Facing a death head-on, she took proactive actions to safeguard her health. Hard work was the keyword in her life. Fortunately, she met the professional medical team of Gobroad Shanghai Zhaxin Hospital. By collaborating with the medical team, she entered a new chapter of life.Disease is a transient part of fate,but it cannot confine her pursuit of dreams! Ms.Liu hopes that her sharing will inspire her friends to courageously move forward. Patient Profile Ms.Liu,50 years old, a native of Xi'an, Shanxi Province, has lived in many cities and has homed in Shanghai for 16 years. Diagnosed with MDS/MPN 3 years ago 2 years after allogeneic transplantation -In April 2021, Ms.Liu was diagnosed with acute appendicitis due to sudden onset of abdominal pain. After surgery, her blood counts were abnormal and she was diagnosed with MDS/MPN in the hematology department; -Two months later she went to Gobroad Shanghai Zhaxin Hospital. After completing the relevant examinations and taking into account her physical condition, the medical team customized a personalized treatment plan for her and performed an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in December of that year; -It has been 2 years since Ms.Liu's allogeneic transplantation. Ms.Liu's primary disease has completely resolved and has returned to her normal life. Make a definite diagnosis Why do I still have a blood disorder despite exercising, working out and completing 2 marathons? I have consistently enjoyed good health and have never experienced any major illnesses. Apart from childbirth, the only time I've been hospitalized was for three days following the removal of my appendix. Thanks to my father's emphasis on discipline, I developed multiple exercise habits from my teenage years, making fitness an integral part of my daily routine. I've completed two marathons and maintain a body fat percentage of around 21-22%, which is considered athletic among my peers. After my acute appendicitis removal surgery, I was observed with a high white blood cell count. The surgeon reminded me to go to the hematology department for examination before I was diagnosed with MDS/MPN. It's hard to believe that death suddently stare me in the face. Leukemia? What a strange term. What does it mean? Haven't I always been healthy? Then, further, I was told that the median survival was only five years! Emotions overwhelmed me and I suddenly felt a great sadness. Inside I had mixed feelings, thunderous shock, grief, and a whirlwind of memories. At the time, I stared at my body and couldn't believe the reality presented in black and white on the medical report. Apart from the alarming white blood cell count of 25, I had experienced no symptoms whatsoever. Rational choice Choosing Director Wang Chun because of his strength I immediately started reading a lot of medical literature and specialized books, and encounter unfamiliar vocabularies at every turn. My husband accompanied me, and like most patients, we embarked on a journey to find a famous doctor. In Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, I went through various channels to ask for consultations, reviews,and counseling. After I understood the treatment plans and concepts given to me by all the doctors, I verified two valuable pieces of information: 1.Professor Wang Chun, the director of Gobroad Shanghai Zhaxin Hospital, is the expert with the most successful cases of transplantation treatment in the MDS/MF subfield, unmatched by others. 2.This disease is rare, and the number of transplant cases in China is much lower than the common clinical cases of leukemia and lymphoma. I came to Professor Wang Chun and he said with a friendly smile, "I understand that you don't feel your symptoms. Your condition is good. Chemotherapy is not suitable for you now. We have a solution." His confidence and determination moved me, but most importantly, I refused traditional chemotherapy. The doctors and I are both very clear that there is no particularly effective chemotherapy drug, and experiencing pain may only provide temporary relief, and a cure requires transplantation. It is commendable that Professor Wang and his team, adhering to the most advanced medical concepts, reinstating humanistic care, and with an open scientific spirit, have developed a maintenance treatment plan for me and told me that they will adjust treatment strategies according to the changes in my disease. Six months later, my illness progressed rapidly, and the doctor planned for me to undergo an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Prior to this, information about diseases, including professional terms, numbers, and cases, had been absorbed through written materials. I thought I was fully mentally prepared to face the unknown therapeutic effects. Before the transplant, I recoiled! Fear came in like a tidal wave Maybe all medical vocabularies are dispassionate, objective,and technical. It's when I see real examples that I can visualize the reality. Before the transplant, I received blood transfusion treatment in a regular ward due to severe anemia, and it was my first time encountering hospitalized patients with other blood diseases. Their physical condition after transplantation shocked me. Some had dark skin, some were very thin, and some were tormented by complications, causing both physical and mental pain. Their expressions were indescribable and their moans filled the air. Prince Siddhartha walked out of the magnificent palace and was only then shocked by the scenes of life, aging,illness, and death on earth. It was a complete awakening of his soul (Hesse's "Siddhartha"),  and also mine!Fear finally hit me. I am afraid of the future, afraid of enduring unbearable pain, afraid of living without dignity, and afraid of constantly dragging down my loved ones. I am a pessimistic realist. I believe that optimism cannot change reality, and willpower and emotions cannot withstand the passage of time and space. Fear spreads. Although the time for the transplant was confirmed, I changed my mind and ran away after the blood transfusion. Deciding to Receive Transplantation I'm not afraid anymore. While waiting, I calmed down and realized my cognitive bias. A few transplant patients with moderate / severe complications presented to me at the hospital fueled me with fear which overpowered reason. I forgot about most of the other patients who were successfully cured, and returned to society, just like me. After calming down, I regained my rationality. I reviewed a lot of literature and data related to transplantation. After analyzing the data and calculating formulas, I found that for me, the chances of success of having a transplant were high. As my father used to say when I was a child, "Prepare for the worst and do your best.” There were two worst-case scenarios: the first was that I would not walk out of the transplant warehouse, but I did not fear death. The second was that there would be serious complications that would affect my quality of life, however the probability of this was relatively low. Facing these worst-case scenarios, I rationally and openly accepted the worst possible outcome. What's more, I am in good physical condition, have a strong body to face the transplant and possible post-transplant complications, and should actively pursue the possibility of a cure. All things considered, I believe that facing a high potential for success with lower odds aligns well with my investment style and risk appetite! Finally, I designed a questionnaire and posted it in my circle of friends: if you were a patient, would you choose transplantation? Hundreds of friends completed the questionnaire and gave their insights. Everyone's experience and thoughts were different. But without exception, everyone comforted me which meant a geat deal to me. I took this step, and looked back, and the Grim Reaper still stood there quietly. I turned around and walked towards the transplant room. Self-discipline vs. indiscipline The tragedy caused by eating more than ten chestnuts Self-discipline is a powerful tool in my endeavors. During the transplantation process, I was struck by the two very different experiences triggered by "self-discipline" and "indiscipline". To prevent mouth ulcers, I adhered strictly to the protocols of mouth rinsing within the transplant facility. The nurses remarked that I was the patient who did the strictest and most standardized mouth rinsing in the transplant warehouse. Because of my self-discipline, my mouth ulcers occurred later and I recovered quickly. However, I also suffered the downside of self-discipline. In the later stage of transplantation, my appetite improved. After eating bland and tasteless food for too long, I wanted to eat roasted chestnuts, so I ate more than 10 at once! These chestnuts bothered me for 4-5 days, causing stomach pain for 24 hours! Chestnuts are difficult to digest, moreover, I am still in the ward, so I should be eating clean and easily digestible food. Therefore, I would like to say to my fellow patients, "No matter how self-disciplined you are, some complications and side effects cannot be avoided during the transplant process. However, self-discipline is still very important. Strict adherence to medical guidance is a very important next to disease treatment. Being self-disciplined allows you to suffer less and recover faster." Exercise Recovery 6-7 months after transplantation Your body is magic if you make it move. In the transplantation ward, I was weak,dizzy, nauseous, and couldn't stand steadily. However, in the later stage of transplantation, I chose to stand by the bed as much as possible. Even if I can't stretch my hands and feet, I try to play the Eight Section Brocade. On discharge day, I was in a wheelchair, but as soon as I got out of the ward, I got up from my wheelchair and did a little dance. I wanted to tell my family, "I'm fine!" I was in the general hospitalization area for about 2 weeks. I kept walking around the ward for 30-50 minutes every day in the morning and afternoon. Gradually, I saw that some of my patients also joined the walking group! When I got home, I continued exercising. Whenever my body allowed, I would do some bed stretches, Eight Section Brocade, consistent walking, etc.every day. About 6-7 months after the transplant, I regained my basic vitality and no longer felt weak. Now, I am starting to learn the Wudang Tai Chi Neijia Health Preservation Technique, which is different from the Chen style Yang style. It uses techniques such as standing and sitting to maintain health and strengthen the body. Through training that combines essence, spirit,and qi (various breathing strategies and concentration of thoughts),  I can clear the meridians and nourish the five internal organs. Friends, don't always lie down, get up and move around. Special thanks Thank you to the transplant doctors and nurses who have accompanied me these days, the experienced caregivers, and the doctors who rushed from the third and fourth floors in the middle of the night in response to my bell. Timely treatment and management successfully contained the danger in the early stages. In the ward, the pre-treatment during transplantation is high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Allogeneic stem cell transplantation inevitably brings rejection, and the unavoidable pain ultimately comes. I remember one day when I suddenly felt a chill all over my body, shivering despite being covered with a blanket in the ward. Thanks to Dr.Liu Huixia for relieving my pain with traditional Chinese medicine, external medicine packs, acupuncture and moxibustion. Dreams and Goals Traveling around the world Whether in my youth or now, my dream has always been traveling around the world. After my health gradually recovered, I started from 1-3 days of short trips, then 1-2 weeks of long trips, from near to far. In the future, I would like to see the rest of the world and meet interesting souls on the road. Sickness, even if it is a part of our destiny, cannot be a "cage" that confines us! By overcoming illness, we can still choose our own way of life and embrace all the beauty in our lives. *The above is posted with the consent of the patient