Rick's
Replant Ride for the Week of
I
have decided that what I am going through is not a stem
cell transplant, but a stem cell replant!
Unable to find a donor match for me in this whole wide world, they have
decided to use my own stem cells. (Apparently, one of my ancestors was an alien
leaving me with a rare HLA (Human
Leukocyte Antigen)). At any rate,
the word replant seems more appropriate.
Right
now I am going through the "Mobilization Phase". The purpose is to convince my body to create
enough stem cells to harvest to be frozen, treated, and replanted into me
(after high dose chemo kills off my immune system). But that's another story
that is scheduled to start next week. Still mobilizing the stem cells now.
To
this end I have so far:
1) Had a central line placed in my upper chest
near the collar bone.
There
are three "lumens" on the outside and a catheter under the skin that
goes into a big vein near my heart. The
lines clips on the lines are red, white, and blue. I like that.
It makes showers complicated cause you can't get the bandage wet; but I haven't had
to endure a single stick in the vein since it went in!
2)
Had one session of high dose chemo (cytoxan
- meaning cell poison!),,
This is supposed to convince my body to start making stem
cells. Also, it should kill any of the
residual mantle cell lymphoma that may be lurking around.
It
has been about 11 days since the chemo.
Right now the labs can detect no white cells in my blood - I am
officially neutropenic. The red cells are very low and the platelets
are rapidly disappearing. I have to wear
a mask whenever I'm out of the apartment since I couldn't mount a defense
against any infection. My energy level
is a little lower than normal due to the anemia (low red cells). I will probably get a transfusion of
platelets soon.
3) I have been giving myself twice-daily
injections of neupogen. This is to stimulate the
production of stem cells. It is actually
made from E Coli bacteria which has been genetically
mixed with a human gene!
I
have my blood checked on Monday - November 28.
I will possibly get a platelet transfusion then. I also will officially
clear up all my work-related stuff.
After Monday I will be on leave until the short term disability kicks
in.
On
Tuesday, I am scheduled to begin stem cell collection. This involves taking blood out of one of my
ports and sending it to a machine that separates it into it's components,
including stem cells which are artificially there.. Everything but the stem cells is sent back in
through another port.
I
will be doing this every day until they have enough stem cells. They have officially scheduled Tuesday
through Friday. It could be shorter or
longer. I am loading up the MP3
player. I'll probably take the laptop
and some books. I plan on doing some
sleeping too!
So
far all is going well and back on schedule after the ear infection
episode. I feel good, I'm mobilized, and
I'm ready to go!!