I feel that the Transplant process has now really started with my sister arriving in Indy Friday and with the harvest of initial "T-Cells" that will be frozen and used as possible future booster injections, if needed, to maintain her minimum 95 to 5% ration in my future blood make-up.
It was a pretty grueling day for her primarily due to a back up and delay at the Heart Institute in installing a Fistula cather in her chest The Fistula is similar to the Hickman devise I had installed Monday but with larger diameter ports to handle larger amounts of blood for the dialysis type harvesting to begin on Wednesday.
She will be getting daily injections of Neupogen to increase her production of white cells between now and Wednesday
I entered the Oncology Unit at 7:00 Tuesday AM to begin receiving an IV's to supress/reduce my own Blood Marrow making room for her Transplant materials and to aid in Anti-Rejection.
It was my 1st time that I've experienced EITHER vomiting OR chills from any of the prior dosages of Chemo but encountered BOTH with the initial Campath IV. They were able to get them under control in short order with Demerol and fortunately I've have had no further reactions during the week.
I'm also on a additional Fludara Chemo treatment for 3 more days, Melphalan Chemo for 1 day with rest on Tuesday before the harvesting and transplant scheduled on Wednesday, 6/27. I'll begin taking Cyclosporine, an Anti-Rejection infusion, which will continue in pill form for an extended time even after I get home.
With my blood counts suppressed prior to the Transplant, and the fact it takes the Donor's Bone Marrow several days to rebuild, I'll probably be at the lowest level and will be in Isolation for 10 days or so until the blood counts increase again. (Time varies with each individual and situation).
So they've prepared me there may be some 'rocky road' during the process.
Hopefully all will go smoothly/successfully and I'll be able to be home again before July 15th. :-)
Lots of future out patient monitoring will follow for several weeks after the Transplant.
Thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers
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3 comments:
Bob: You are getting there! Slowly, but surely. I hope you can sneak your computer into isolation :-) because I really look forward to your postings. Stay strong! Sunshine follows the storm.
Bob, I talked to Vivian at a wedding last week and was sorry to hear about your health problems. I just want you to know I will be praying for you and Nancy and all your family in the days ahead. Never know when those little sisters are going to come in handy do you? Remember - Greenville people are TUFF! I sent you an E-mail last week - hope you received it. Phyllis
Bob, Just checking in on you. Will pray daily for you these next two weeks during this tough time.
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