Stem Cell Transplant - Part 1

 As you know, I like to educate those that care of all that I am going through with this fight against cancer. I am back in remission right now, which is where we had to be for this type of stem cell transplant.  I know, why do I have to still do this if I am in remission? The type of cancer I have (follicular lymphoma - aggressive), is not curable but it is treatable.  I made it 16 months in remission last time. we are hoping with the stem cell transplant, we can go 5-10 years. I would even like to sign up for 20! 

Disclaimer: If you are squeamish...stop here,

Part 1: Mobilization and Harvesting

When I think of harvesting, I think farm, crops, grapes, not stem cells. But last week, they harvested 4.5 million stem cells from my blood.  Amazing! This was the first part of the autologous stem cell transplant process. As I have said, I am lucky to be able to use my own stem cells, it is much easier for the body to accept your own stem cells. The process was not as bad as I thought, although there were some scary parts. I had 4 days of daily shots of G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor also known as Zarzio) This is a type of drug called a growth factor. It increases the number of white blood cells in my blood. In the past, they would harvest from your bone marrow (ouch) but now they do use peripheral stem cells that come from your blood. We watched my white blood count go up each day. We started at 4.3 and by the 6th day it was up to 70! On the 4th day, they placed a U-catheter in my neck. They did this while I was wide awake and just numbed my neck. That was scary! They placed a few stitches to keep it in place and sent me home with this hanging off my neck (reminded me of those little tabasco bottle). 

Tuesday morning, I was hooked up to this machine.
Blood left my body, went through this machine that captured my stem cells and then returned to my body. Again, freaking science - insane and awesome! I was hooked to that machine for about 4-5 hours each day.  Sometimes this takes up to 4 days, so although I would have preferred one day (I found out that is rare) and so to make the goal in two days was worth celebrating! Each day, we waited to see how many stem cells were collected. Because there were so many white blood cells in my blood, they kind of get stuck (think too many people on an escalator) and cannot get out of the body so Tuesday night, they gave me Zarzio and Mozobil (a booster to help the white blood cells move). Wednesday, I went back for day 2 and was elated when they said I made it!  They removed the u-catheter from my neck (also scary) as the nurse was doing it, we had to practice a breathing technique that I had to do while he pulled it out.  When he told me, I was to take a huge breath in, hold it and then blow out really hard for as long as possible (to AVOID an embolism - oMg) - and this is what he pulled out of my neck. Here are my stem cells, going off to the freezer for now! 

I was able to go home for 5 days (2 left) before being admitted to hospital for the next part - August 17th.

Part 2: Conditioning:

6 days of high dose chemotherapy. This chemo is like no other than I have had. Super strong to kill any left over cancer (the bad cells) hiding in my body as well as all of my good cells.  This chemo will take my bone marrow to a place that is irreparable without the transplant - but on August 23rd (Day 0- a new birthday in the transplant world - and you know I love birthdays!! Now I get two!), they will infuse the stem cells back into my body.  Stay tuned for more on that!

I have two days left to enjoy fresh air, my puppies, family, good food and just living life. I am trying my best to do that - but I will not lie, anxiety is high. I know once I am in it, I will be the fucking warrior I have been and will do my best to keep you all updated.

As I always end a post, I am forever grateful for my army of supporters out there - you have no idea how your likes, comments, texts, and calls get me through!  Ironically, today's entry in Mark Nepo's Book of Awakenings this morning,  told me to ask for help. This is so hard for me, but I know in the next couple months, I will need to do more of this. Watch out! 😂💚💚💚

"Perhaps the shortest and most powerful prayer in human language is help" - Father Thomas Keating