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The Process

In prior posts, I’ve referred to the “process” of the bone marrow transplant.  And quite the complex, multiple step and lengthy process it is.

The first step is to repeat a series of outpatient tests to confirm that I’m fit for the transplant.  This is ongoing for the week of October 5th at MD Anderson.  At the end of this testing, I will get a central venous line (CVC) inserted for the next steps and ultimately the donor stem cell infusion.

I’ll check into the hospital on October 10 to begin the second step which is referred to as “conditioning”.  This involves chemotherapy to bring your immune system to zero in order to prepare for its replacement with the donor’s immune system.  

During this time, the donor will be going through a procedure called Apheresis to harvest his stem cells from his peripheral blood. The cells will be cryogenically frozen and transported to MD Anderson.  The donor cells were collected on October 7 and now on the way to Houston.

The next step is the BIG day, which is when the donor cells are infused through my Central line.  This is what is affectionately referred to as my “new birthday”.  It is scheduled for October 16, just one day before my beautiful wife’s birthday of October 17.  Crazy coincidence!

At this point, the donor cells begin to engraft and eventually will replace my bone marrow.  They grow almost like a seed would grow and eventually produce the white blood cells which will form my new immune system.  The engraftment process typically takes 2-3 weeks during which time I’ll remain in the hospital, under continuous monitoring and adjusting to symptoms.  Connie will be by my side through this entire process.  

The other key step post transplant is a prophylactic (preventative) therapy for a complication called graft vs host disease (gvhd), which is where the donor cells are rejected.  This is a combination of Immunosuppressant and chemotherapy infusions.

Upon discharge, it becomes a game of staying infection free, daily monitoring which will gradually taper off to less frequent doctor visits, and managing the ups and downs as the engraftment process continues for the critical first 100 day period.

Thank you for reading.  This is really therapeutic for me to put into words.

With love and optimism for the future,

Gary

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 8, 2020 at 8:18 PM

    Gary, Thanks for sharing. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers as you proceed with your journey.

    Mark Koenig
    Denver CLL Support Group

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jane BarbosaOctober 9, 2020 at 8:03 PM

    Thank you, Gary, for sharing the details of your experience. Medical science is truly amazing. We are fully with you during this process, I hope you feel our comforting thoughts. We love you and send you many hugs and prayers! Cant wait to see you back home!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 12, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    Wow Gary - that is one heck of a process - it's amazing what they have "figured" out in the medical world.
    Thoughts and prayers for you!

    ReplyDelete

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