Stem Cells infused...

As most of you are aware we have been on a count down to stem cell transplant This has involved a lot of doctor appointments as well as dental appointments to be sure my body was in the best shape possible for the transplant. We sure were thankful for the transplant team who kept pointing us in the right directions at the right time. They located a donor (43 year old male, probably from Europe, but won't know for sure until records are released in a couple of years. It is a legal requirement of donor system.) I have been meaning to get this update posted but the chemo and radiation treatments seemed to take all my strength away just as predicted. The hospital suggested using my blog to keep people informed and now with some strength returning I will see if I can get the update posted. Zero day (April 15) found us headed to radiation for a full body treatment in preparation for the stem cell transplant scheduled for later in the day. Interesting process. Nancy was able to snap a picture of me prepared for the full body radiation, but the monstrous equipment is not shown. I stood in the frame twice for about 8 minutes as they do front and then back side of the body (I felt like a piece of toast!). I felt nothing and all went well. Then it was off to OHSU admissions desk where Brett was able to join us until my room was ready. We were anxious to get started but learned that the plane with the stem cells was delayed, so process was delayed until evening. We waited patiently for the cells to arrive and be prepared for transplant. The infusion process started about 10:30 PM with the stem cells looking much like blood, but a nice pink color. They kept a close eye on me as the infusion progressed, checking my vitals every 15 minutes the first hour, once an hour the rest of the night. The infusion process was completed about 2:30 AM. Since no complications developed, I was released from the hospital about 11:00 AM Saturday and we enjoyed going home for some lunch, followed by a rest as neither of us got a lot of sleep the night of the process. I am scheduled for daily 8:30 AM appointments at the outpatient clinic for vitals and transplant follow-up for the rest of April. The next couple of weeks I have to be really germ careful as my immune system is very near zero from the week's chemotherapy and radiation which is to give my new stem cells the best chance of getting established. The fear is infection or host vs donor complications where my blood cells could decide to attack the new donor cells which would not be good. We need to be within 30 minutes of the hospital for some time yet... Changes in my system or temp over 100 means we head for the hospital. If all goes well they will reduce daily visits to 2 or three times a week. After I reach the 100 day threshold they will start to loosen up outpatient visits even more. Then maybe we can return to a more normal life style.The stem cell replacement was almost anticlimactic, but everyone says we should be celebrating, which we did by having ice cream after dinner last night. The nurses wrote “Happy Birthday, Day 0” on the dry-erase board! We are now up to Day plus 3 . It is considered a birthday as I now have new stem cells which could change my blood type and I will have to train my new immune system much as a new born baby. We were doing a countdown to Transplant Day and now begins the count-up as we progress toward me building new cells. I have many new medications and a calendar to help us organize them.