Day + 15- Stem Cell Transplant #3

Resting. The olive wood cross is a gift from the land of Israel

Deb received her third stem cell transplant today. First thing this morning labs were drawn to ensure Deb was healthy enough to take them.

Here a stick, there a stick, everywhere a stick!

Soon thereafter a transport person arrived to confirm Deb's ID and location. She returned with the stem cells in high-priced hospital carrying case-see photo. Our APN  Peggy was in charge of the infusion. She got the team together to confirm all details, then hooked Deb up.

In they go from thence they came 2 years ago!

The stem cells were drawn from Deb about 2+ years ago and have lived in North Pole, Arkansas, otherwise known as the nitrogen deep freeze! There were 3.23 million cells in the bag. Deb has three more bags totaling about 12 million cells remaining in the freezer 'just in case.'

I predict that with  the science world finding uses for stem cells everyday, a person could make a buck harvesting them from young healthy 25 year-olds to save until they are old and sick.

It only took about an half hour to infuse them. Deb had oxygen on and felt nothing except some hotness and flushing of the face. Peggy slowed it down for a while to give relief. Afterwards Deb picked up an awful smell which everyone but her could smell. Peggy says Deb will reek of DMSO for about three days. It's really strong! Some say it smells like burned corn. I tend towards a week old smashed skunk on a hot highway!

Deb needed platelets also.

We were surprised by a visit from classmates Anita and Don. They were back for a checkup and Don was looking great (for a Marine)!

We had updates from APN Kristen and from Susann -Dr van Rhee's lab chief. All things are going great! It will be over a week before the stem cells settle down in all the right places and begin to adapt to their proper functions. Deb's neutrapenia should last 7-10 more days. We sure will be glad to get out of this hazardous timeframe!

Between the infusions, Deb was wiped out. She napped until about 6 pm. Her woozy meter is about 8.5 with faltering half-steps. Tonight Deb said 'Please tell me this will end sometime soon.' She is so frail and weak. Her voice is shallow. She has mental confusion at times. Fevers come and go.

We have infusers for tonight.

We are so fortunate to live in this time when all the magic is available to us.

Blessings!


White Count-below 2 is neutrapenic and indicates Deb's vulnerability for infection.
Platelets -a whitish colored component of blood. Low platelets=higher Woozy factor!
CRP -An indicator of relative health. Lower is better. When the number creeps up, Deb could be getting sick.
Day  White Count  Platelets  CRP

0         0.04               29              12.8
1         0.07               15              77.0
2         0.03               42            140.3
3         0.07               27            144.1
4         0.23               52            206.0
5         1.21               33            168.2
6         2.32               26            214.0
7         2.29               11            209.3
8         2.84               25            230.2
9         2.32               12            234.1
10       2.66               24            220.1
11       2.50               15            196.0
12       2.54               28            186.0
13       1.98               18            181.0
14       1.22               28            199.9
15       0.95               20            138.6