In many of my previous columns, I have stipulated that I am very fortunate with what I have experienced so far with multiple myeloma.

My condition is far less serious than that of most of the other Beacon columnists and probably the vast majority of my readers. Every form of treatment I have re­ceived so far – radiation, induction therapy, and autol­o­gous stem cell trans­plan­ta­tion – has been suc­cess­ful. Modern medicine had done its part for me.

Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that I have not done my part to build on those successes, par­tic­u­larly the success of the stem cell transplant. In fact, I have learned some tough lessons since November. During that time, I have suffered bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia, an allergic reaction (seborrheic dermatitis) to my pneumonia medication, and, lately, a nasty respiratory syn­cytial virus (RSV) infection.

Hindsight is almost always 20/20. Looking back, all of the above illnesses probably could have been avoided had I taken a more common sense approach to the fact that my immune system is compromised as a result of the stem cell transplant.

My first misstep was to rush back to work five days after being discharged from the hospital.

I misinterpreted the energy and adrenaline that I felt after coming home as a sign that I could resume all the activities and duties I had practiced pre-transplant. And while it initially felt great to be back in the thick of things, it only took me about a month to realize that I was not yet back to full strength, both physically and emotionally. I ignored those signs and pressed forward, immersed in the start of the new school year, new initiatives, and the challenges that come with being a school superintendent.

A far bigger mistake on my part was to not change my work habits. I naively thought I could continue to put in 16- to 18-hour workdays, with my day often starting at 4:00 a.m. checking roads and ending at 10:00 p.m. after attending board of education meetings, concerts, games, and other school activities.

Young children are known for being walking germ factories. Part of my daily routine is to visit our elementary school building. I visit class­rooms, mingle with our students in the halls, and often eat lunch with them. It is probably safe to assume I come into direct contact with thousands of young children on a weekly basis.

Risky behavior for someone with a compromised immune system? Without question. But there is more.

My wife and I attended the Big 10 championship football game in Indianapolis in early December, the NCAA football semifinal game in New Orleans two weeks later, and the national championship game on January 12. Overall, I spent approximately 14 hours in the confined space of motor coach buses and airplanes. My wife begged me to wear a mask on the bus and planes.

I was too vain to do so.

Lack of common sense on my part has no doubt played a part in my going through a two-month period of ill health unlike any I have experienced before.

What can be learned from my lack of common sense as it relates to the immune system and life after a stem cell transplant?

First, never lose sight of the fact that it may take a great deal of time – in some cases between one and two years – for the immune system to recover after a stem cell transplant.

Second, don’t let your guard down and become complacent about protecting your compromised immune system. The fact that I felt so good shortly after my transplant created a false sense of security that led me to ignore the most basic precautions.

Don’t rush back to work after being sick. Make sure you are fully recovered. Adjust your work schedule as needed. Delegate duties to others if you are in a position to do so. Take time off when needed. Take pre­cau­tions when exposing yourself to high-risk situations, such as large crowds.

My wife and I vowed that we would play as hard as we worked after I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. We are committed to making memories with what time we have left together. Although watching the Buck­eyes record upset wins over Wisconsin, Alabama, and then Oregon on their way to an improbable national championship was thrilling and created memories that will stay with us for quite some time, crisscross­ing the country in motor coaches and airplanes probably had as much to do with my poor health as any one factor.

Transplant patients often claim a new birthday to celebrate the fact that they have been given a new life. There is no doubt I feel like I have a new lease on life after my successful transplant in June.

The privilege of that new lease on life brings with it responsibilities that include, at the bare minimum, using common sense when dealing with life after a stem cell transplant.

Hopefully, the lessons I have learned and described for you will prevent others from learning the hard way.