What are we Going to do Now?

Hey, we’re going to Disneyland! Well, before that, my white counts has to go to 3000. This morning, it hit 1000. So in a couple of days, I should be ready. The next step is called Apheresis. This is the collection of immature hematopoietic cells from the blood. This is accomplished used a blood separating machine that sorts the blood cells. This happens as a small amount of blood is removed through one side if the catheter (or port). The blood is spun through a machine that will collect white blood cells and the remainder of the blood will be returned through the other side or the catheter. This process takes about four hours, for 2-5 consecutive days. After your peripheral blood stem cells are collected, they will be taken to the laboratory for processing and freezing.

Once this takes place, I will received the preparative regimen (high dose chemotherapy). The purpose of the preparation regimen is to eliminate cancer cells. The preparative regimen may be given as an inpatient or as an outpatient. The preparative regimen will take place over 2-10 days. Following this the transplant takes place. I will tell you about this after about 3 weeks as I see it from here.

Do you remember Gail Bradway who writes out her prayers? Here is a P.S. to one of her prayers. She writes, “ I’m thinkin’ in many respects this ordeal will be harder for Koyce than David—it’s very hard to be a spectator and comforter when you can’t really relate because she hasn’t had a stem-cell transplant –she’s got to have such grace, God—and no problem right?! You’re the grace-giver!”