Second Stem Cell Transplant Complete !

This morning Deb was given two bags of her own stem cells which totaled 6.72 million cells. That leaves 15.4 million in the nitrogen freezers stored in case she needs another infusion when her health or age will not allow another collection.

Although it sounds like a star wars activity, it actually is rather low-tech; more like a transfusion.

Deb was given a transfusion of saline to hold her blood pressure up and received multiple meds to get her body ready for the stem cells. When she was properly prepped, a courier delivered the first bag of stem cells up to our private room. Multiple APNs confirmed the cells as being Deb's and then they were infused while being monitored by a transplant nurse. DMSO is part of the storage fluid used in the bags. If Deb were going to have a reaction or rejection, it would have happened then. After the first bag was successfully infused, a second bag was brought in by courier.It went in with no problem. The transplant nurses monitored Deb for about 3 more hours. Then we were released. Deb was very cold the whole time and I had her wrapped in about six warmed blankets. When we got home she went to bed to sleep off the drugs and she nibbled at some lunch. The labs showed that her white blood count is nose-diving, so she will be neutrapenic by tomorrow most likely.



The next 10-14 days will be days of the worst impact of the chemo, tremendous vulnerability to infection, and tumult of the digestive system. Toward the end the stem cells will begin to implant into the marrow and start re-establishing the red cells, white cells, and platelets.

Deb and I are emotionally spent. This event today is a milestone in the treatment of this terrible disease. What more can humans do to fight this? All humanly possible is done and in process at this point. To get to this point we have lived the year in threat of an infection or disruption. Now that it's done, we sigh a huge sigh of relieve. We praise God for the blessings! Now we wait for the process to take place and measure the results. If it is successful, we'll come home and have weekly labs with periodic visits in Arkansas; probably starting at three month intervals. We will also start a weekly chemo program at home supervised by Dr. Nair's orders from here. We could use some volunteer drivers since I hope to be back at work and Deb will not be able to drive for some time. (Contact Chief Angel Cassy to volunteer)