Last Thursday (Dec. 18, 2008) at 3 pm was the start of my double cord transplant. First, the Belgium cord was infused into my body. The bag of 0+ looking blood had all of the stem cells from the Belgium cord. The Belgium cord did not have a test sample for the City of Hope to recheck the tissue typing of the cord so 5 hours earlier, the cryogenically cord was defrosted in the City of Hope lab and a small sample of the stem cells were tested. The bag of stem cells was also washed to remove any impurities (I have no idea how they do this). The Belgium cord tested perfect for me so then the infusion started at 3 pm. The stem cells were gravity fed into me over 1/2 hour. After the Belgium cord was infuses, the Australian cord blood was hung and infused into me.
Now it is a waiting game. My body's marrow has been killed off by the chemo and radiation and my body is not making any blood (white, red cell or platelets). We now have to wait until the baby stem cells make marrow and start making blood. This can take 12 to 20 days for the stem cells to start producing. I am hoping they start working in 7 days. I will donor infusions of blood and platelets until my baby stem cells start producing. I am also getting tons of antibiotics since my white count is near zero (no immune system). A cold could be very bad for me.
We just wait now!
Belgium Cord blood bag. The Belgium cord is 0+ type blood. I am B+.
The cord blood going into me through my hickman catheter.
The Australian cord blood bag (B+) was darker and not as large since this bag did not need to be washed. This bag was more like blood (thicker and darker).
The finished bag of Australian cord blood.
The finished bag of Australian cord blood
Belgium cord blood bag
Belgium cord bag
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hello Steve and Merry Christmas,
You, Elaine and your children have been in my thoughts especially during the last couple of days. Know that you are all being lifted up in prayer, as well as the medical team that is looking after you. Thank you for allowing me to share in your journey.
With admiration for your grace, faith, hope and courage,
Lori Bernal
How is it possible you look younger and healthier than ME?! Pffft! ;-)
Awesome documentation job!
I'm not a prayin' woman, but I am sending good mojo for your cells. :-)
Take care! Be sure to let me know if you need platelets -- me and Donna could run over there in a jiffy.
xoxo
Post a Comment