CMV

The transplant coordinator called me on 28 Jan to inform me that my blood is tested positive for CMV and asked me to be admitted so for the injection to bring the virus down. Initially i thought i will only be hospitalised for 1 - 2 days for the injection but it turned out otherwise...

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus that infects most people worldwide. CMV infection is usually harmless and rarely causes illness. A healthy immune system can hold the virus in check. However, if a person's immune system is seriously weakened in any way, the virus can become active and cause CMV disease. Because i am taking immunosuppresants, my immune system is weakened and according to the doctor, almost zero, henceforth the CMV becomes active. After i am admitted, the doctor immediately reduce my immunosuppresant dosage and the eye doctor also came to check whether my eyes are affected by the virus. Everything turn out to be ok except that i am positive for CMV.

So everyday i have to be on the ganciclovir (anti-viral medication) drip for 1 hr at 8am and 8pm. The rest of the day, there's nothing to do and its so boring staying in the hospital. Although there is TV in the room, watching TV all day also bores me. I finished all the 5 megazines which i have. In the end, i asked my brother to bring my laptop and story books for me. Thanks to hongguang too for bring 4 storybooks for me while i was warded.

Dr Angelene Goh came to see me when i was warded and inform me that she will be taking over from Dr Roger Tan to see me in future. She told me that she can only let me be discharged when the CMV is complete negative, i.e when the level falls to 0. But the CMV is really stubborn, it falls to 10 then to 3 then to 2 in the 2nd week but not 0. The worst thing is the CMV blood test is not taken everyday but every 2-3 days and the test takes 1 day for the results. So everyday is waiting, waiting untill fedup.

This year Chinese New Year i still have to stay in hospital although Dr Goh allowed me to go on home leave. I went home after my morning drip on new year eve and the first day of CNY. Home sweet home :) CNY this year is special to me as i really treasure the time i went back home and spend with my family. Staying in the hospital has brought me closer to my family as i know they really cares about me.

I was discharged on 16/2/10, the 3rd day of CNY as my CMV is tested negative. Thank god!