Moo!

I was told that after the transplant that I would have the immune system of an infant. This new me would have a different immune system than I had previously or that my brother, Michael my stem cell donor, had. My new immune system will not remember fighting off germs and the protection that gives me. I had chicken pox when I was a kid, I should never get them again, right? I can get chicken pox now, new immune system, baby immune system. I get that. It is why I have to be so careful around sources of germs especially viruses.

What I didn’t get is that the immune system is responsible for allergies. I have developed a new allergy. The hints were undeniable, something was wrong. I was running to the bathroom a dozen times a day. I will spare you the details, even I don’t want to know (or remember) the details. Let’s just say that the Imodium was woefully ineffective. I experimented by excluding foods from my diet, reaching the inescapable conclusion that I had become allergic to dairy products: milk, butter, cream, cheese (wonderful cheese…)

I am already a vegetarian, have been for 3 decades. Now I’ve just become a reluctant vegan. This means a significant change in what I cook, isn’t everything better with melted cheese on top? (OK, not Asian food.) We’ve had to explore the wacky world of soy yogurts and margarine and non-dairy sour cream/cream cheese. (Oddly one brand, Tofutti, is surprisingly good.) This adjustment to my diet has meant some serious compromise. Pizza without cheese is not the same dish, though a pizza can be tasty with a thoughtful assortment of veg. I’ve acquired a taste (by persistence) for coffee and tea plain, no milk or creamer.

What it really boils down to is that I don’t mind sacrificing the dairy component of my diet to have a calm and functional tummy. I still get really excellent food; Barbara, my wife, made a vegan cake yesterday that is one of the best cakes I’ve ever tasted.

The doctor reckons that this allergy to dairy is likely to be temporary; I’m hoping he’s right. I am still visiting Dana-Farber once a week and during these visits I usually need a transfusion of red blood cells. I’ve been feeling well and continue to enjoy the nice weather out in the back yard.