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Day 4 update

Today is Day 4, the 4th day since my donor cells were transplanted with the goal of replacing my immune system with that of the donor.

The immune system is a complex system consisting primarily of infection fighting white blood cells, oxygen carrying red blood cells, and blood clotting platelets.  These cells are generated from the stem cells in your bone marrow.  There is a normal lifecycle of these cells, with literally millions of new ones created every day while older ones die out.  With my cancer (CLL),  the cancerous white blood cells do not go through this normal lifecycle and instead persist. There are so many intricacies to the immune system that I will never understand which is why I’ve put my complete trust in the doctors and the amazing process they created.

While the pre-chemo regime brought my (old) cell counts down to a low level, it does not completely remove all of the old cells.  So the past two days included another chemo regime to remove those remaining cells as best as possible.  Somehow this chemo spares the immature donor stem cells as they continue to engraft and ultimately (in a couple weeks) create new white, red and platelet cells.

As the engraftment continues, a primary concern and potentially serious complication is graft vs. host disease.  This is a condition that occurs when the donor stem cells attack the recipient.   While all of the donor matching science helps to minimize this condition, there is unfortunately much that the medical world does not understand.  There are preventative and reactive measures for this condition, but it remains a real threat to a full recovery.  I pray every day for minimal complications.

Thank you all for your positive words of encouragement and prayers.  The power of your positive thoughts and mental energy is something I cherish.

Gary

Comments

  1. Mary Kay De SpainNovember 13, 2020 at 1:02 PM

    Gary, have been thinking of you since the Transplant and praying that your body accepts these donor cells and your road to recovery is strong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 14, 2020 at 9:05 AM

    Amazing process. You're two tough cookies.
    Our prayers go out for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 16, 2020 at 6:26 PM

    Sounds positive Gary, our thoughts are with you

    ReplyDelete

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