It's been nearly 5 months since I've posted anything on here. I've been meaning to post, but I didn't have much to say. For 4 and a half months I was doing very, very well. Feeling well, lots of energy, gaining (too much) weight, having a lot of fun with my wife and child, etc. Then, in the middle of August, everything changed. I got sick. Really sick. Started with a headache that lasted 4 days. Then, on the fourth day it all hit me--fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and that still persistent headache. This lasted a week before the fever got so bad I need to go to the ER. I was admitted to the hospital for observation. I got to spend the entire Labor Day holiday weekend in the hospital. They did test after test after test, trying to see what I could possibly have. After four days they finally got back some blood results. Diagnosis: CMV (cytomegalovirus).

Nearly 80% of the human population is CMV positive, meaning they have had CMV at some point in their lives and the virus is now living inactive in their tissues--sort of like the chicken pox, which is in the same family. Yes, CMV is part of the herpes family, although most people (including myself) will not present with a rash, although some do.

Most people don't have any signs or symptoms of the virus. Some people will develop stomach cramps, fever, fatigue. Most people recover from the virus after a few weeks. CMV is most dangerous for unborn fetuses and those with compromised immune systems. Transplant patients, such as myself, have compromised immune systems and are very susceptible to the virus. Usually, the immunodeficient need to be hospitalized in order to make sure they don't lose their transplanted organ, or to push IV fluids and to receive an IV anti-viral.

I was in the hospital for one week: from September 2 through September 8. Once home on the 8th I became very nauseous again and was up all night with the most severe headache I have ever had. By early the next morning, I had to return to the emergency room and was once again admitted to the hospital. This time they did a spinal tap to make sure I hadn't developed meningitis or encephalitis. I hadn't, but it was discovered that besides the bowels, I had CMV in the brain. Neat.

CMV most commonly attacks the bowels, but it can attack the brain, retinas, lungs and pretty much any organ in the body. Mine was limited to the brain and bowels, but my case was very severe. Most cases of CMV results in several thousand copies of the virus. I had more than 2 million copies. That's a lot of copies. My nephrologist commented that it was one of the most severe cases he's seen, but it's not unheard of.

There is no actual cure or treatment for the disease. I was given, and most are, an anti-viral IV treatment called ganciclovir. This drug is used to fight herpes-related viruses. After a week of the IV drug, I was switched over to the oral version which is called valganciclovir. This drug is pretty successful in fighting the virus.

I was finally released from the hospital on September 15. I have felt pretty good since then. My only real complaints are the stomach cramping and a mild headache. It'll take a while for the CMV to clear--or at least deactivate, but at least I feel good and am on the road to recovery. I have started back to work and will return to the office on the 28th. I cannot express how grateful I am to have the job and to work for the company that I do. They have been exceedingly gracious this entire time. I am so lucky to work with such a tremendous bunch of people.