Transplant Process

With every chemo, there is a time when I am neutropenic. Today is that day. It's like being a newborn baby with no immune system. None. 

It will be the same during the days around the transplant.  Also we will also have to be aware of the side effects of the transplant/graft itself. The transplant cells may march into my body and say "hey! This isn't home! Attack!" Not cool. But there are drugs to help them get along. The best case would be they come in and say "Nice place. We will live here. Hey, look! Leukemia! Attack!" That will be the time when we say I am cured and my body once again takes care of mutated cells.

The details about the transplant will be given to me soon, but here is what I understand to be correct. 

I will complete my next round of chemo (cycle 2B) on or near September 2 which will require about 4 days in the hospital. (Yes.. 2 more lumbar punctures...) Then within 60 days of that chemo, we will need to do the prep work for the transplant. I have a feeling it will begin within 2 weeks.

The prep work has multiple steps.  One is testing at the clinic: bone marrow biopsy, pulmonary function test, ct scan, etc. Another day I will be meeting with scores of people for talks: the doctor, hospital finance, the transplant coordinator, etc.

Then we start the curative therapy, aka transplant.  When it's time for the transplant, I will be in the hospital 8-10 days prior getting very strong chemo and radiation to get my white blood cell counts to absolute zero again.  That will probably coincide with other medications to prevent bacterial, fungal, or microbial infections.

As we approach the day of transplant, Ed will come down for some testing: ct scan, echocardiogram and bloodwork, and an informational meeting.  Then he will take Neupogen for 5 days prior to the transplant to boost his cells and prep for donation. Hey... If I can shoot myself with an injection, anyone can.  (FYI Ed's birthday is Sept 24th {and CJF too!} some references call transplant day my new birthday. What if they are the same day? Weird...)

There was a lot of information thrown out, but I found this chart online. Transplant day is day zero. The 8-10 days prior are called negative days. The day after transplant is day 1. As far as I can tell, after the transplant there will be no more chemo or radiation, but fighting the side effects and hoping the transplant takes easily and quickly.

From day 1-30 I will have daily trips to the clinic for fluids and labs. This will be 8 hour days, 7 days a week. (Help! We will publish a sign up schedule for drivers.) After that, it will taper off to 4 times a week for up to day 100, then decrease to 1-2 times a week for a while after that, then... I don't know.

Day 0 is when I receive the stem cells.  I am told I will feel lousy for 14 days.

Day 30 tests to see how we are doing.

Day 60 tests

Day 100 redo the prescreen testing, then a meeting will be scheduled to see how if the graft has taken. I strive for perfection and will hope for nothing short of that.

Day 180 redo the prescreen testing.

After that, we have check ups at 1 yr, 18 months, and the 2 year mark.  Then follow ups every year for up to 5 years.

When can I go back to work? Don't know.

When can I socialize? Don't know. Have to be strong and healthy first. Not immuno suppressed.

When can I drive? Don't know. Not rushing this one since it will be a while until I feel "good". Feeling good is relative, and I am always seeing the glass half full. ALWAYS.

And of course one last question: When can I drink? I see you posting your martini or daiquiri or PBR.  My doc said I can have a glass of wine a week. Well..  It's the thought that counts.  I had a couple of sips once, but it didn't taste all that good. I guess my tastes have changed. 

But... Tonight I had 3 sips of beer. THAT was worth it! And tasted delicious!

Ok. So this is day 2 of a lot of information. 

Sit back and have a half full glass for me.  Don't forget to toast Maj. Happy birthday!