Let’s Talk 

Something I felt I should talk about. The Chemo. The elephant in the room when it comes to HSCT. Something that, understandably, is a very delicate subject.

I’m absolutely not claiming to be any kind of authority here – just sharing how I’m getting on with it personally, in the hope that it might help others who are considering HSCT and facing the idea of chemotherapy for themselves.

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Respect Where It’s Due

I want to start by saying: I’ve been incredibly lucky. I’ve never had anyone close to me require life-saving chemo to treat cancer or similar – and I’ve never seen the effects of it up close.

I understand that for many, chemotherapy brings with it trauma, pain, and uncertainty. It can be brutal – I won’t even pretend to know how hard that is.

So I’m aware that I’m speaking from a place of relief, not desperation.

And for that – I’m grateful.

My need for chemotherapy is to bring relief, and I don’t take that lightly.

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My Experience (So Far)

Well over a week ago now, I received my first dose.
A four-hour sit down, four days in a row.

How was it?
I joked about it being like sitting in a Winchester armchair – and you know what, I stand by that. Honestly, it may as well have been water flowing into my veins.

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The Loo (Often)

Yes, I needed the loo. A lot. A lot, lot.

Each dose was probably around 4 litres, not including the saline drips and steroids (I think?). No drama – just wheel your drip machine with you into the loo and sit comfortably.

And that, really, was my four days.

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Why I Kept Things a Mystery (At First)

I had read up on the medical side of HSCT, I chose not to dive into what it would feel like – because I was so fed up with all the scare stories out there.

The ones that make HSCT seem terrifying.

The ones that tell us MS’ers we’re better off sticking to DMDs and symptom-suppressors rather than trying to Get Rid.

I wanted to go in as blind as possible, and use this blog to give everyone an honest, human account of what it’s been like for me.

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Where I Am Now?

Now sat here, long into my isolation time, I am feeling the effects.

But… NOTHING MAJOR – I’m pleased to say.

And more importantly – it’s worked.

My blood tests confirm my body is now free of the leukocytes that have been attacking me for the last eight years.

And (oops – spoiler for the next post)…
I’m already starting to feel the benefits of an MS-free system.

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The Chemo Side-Effects – Let’s Break It Down

So, chemo. What’s it actually done?

1. Digestive Stuff

Yes, it does take a bit of a scrubbing brush to the digestive system.

For me though – no nausea. No loss of appetite.

The passing of what you’ve eaten though – that’s where it gets interesting.

I’ve gone hours without needing to go…
…and then had other times where I’ve barely had minutes between visits.

Some of it is simple and painless. I’ve had one proper bout of morning diarrhoea, but more often it’s the former.

That said – there’s been a lot of paper use, which, well… my posterior isn’t loving.

Not pretty reading – but we’re being honest, right?

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2. Skin

Well… I’m a bloke, so naturally I’d say “a bit dry.”

My wife, on the other hand, would probably say “incredibly so – and really, you need to take care of yourself.”

I can’t do much from inside isolation, but truth be told, I’m actually looking forward to slapping some moisturiser on when I get out of here.

To be fair, the dryness could be a combo of the vodka baths, the sanitising cloths, and the constant hand gel. My skin’s mostly dry around my arms and hands – nowhere else really.

So maybe, when I get home, it’s just a case of going to Boots, buying a job lot of skincare stuff, and getting back to normal within a couple of weeks TLC.

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3. Blemishes & Feet

A couple of small blemishes, mostly where I’ve knocked my feet.

• A blister on one foot

• A few darker streaks near my toes

All very minor. No drama.

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4. Hair

It’s been well over a week since I shaved my head in anticipation… and still, no noticeable hair loss.

No gaps, no shedding – just a fuzzy head of stubble.

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In Summary?

So there we are. That’s my chemo experience to date.

It’s worked – and the benefits, I can honestly say, FAR outweigh any of the negatives, which feel pretty insignificant by comparison.

I’ll add to this if anything changes.

But if you’re someone who’s concerned – maybe even terrified about this part of the process…

Just know: it might not be the nightmare it’s thought to be.

For me?
So far, it’s been absolutely fine.