Today was a lot of hard work. Showed up at the clinic at 8am and didn't leave till 4:30pm. The goal was to collect atleast 2.5 million stem cells over 3 days and hope for 5 million. It is nothing short of a miracle or more likely based on everyones prayers.
After the first day on the "machine" we collected 7.1 million stem cells. I will go back in tomorrow for 1/2 day to collect a few million more and then I am done till the chemo on Monday. We will use 5 million in the treatment and store the other 5 million in case I need it over the next ten years.
For any of you that are interested in how the process works. The COBE Spectra Apheresis System (see picture above)has a centrifugal technology that takes whole blood; separates it into red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and white blood cells; collects the stem cells out of the white blood cells; and then reheats to body temperature and returns all the other components back to the blood stream. Today we cycled completely thru my blood 4 times in and out of that machine. It took about 6 hours, 2 DVDs (ladder 49 and glory days) and 1 meat ball sandwich to get thru it. At the end of the treatment I was 5 lbs heavier. Talk about a big meatball sandwich. That is what I thought. The Doctor said it was the 5 lbs of saline solution that they mixed back with my blood. I will have to take double the lasix tonight to get rid of that...
That's it for the day. It is tequila Tuesday at the Cactus Club. Going out for couple margaritas and perhaps a chimichonga. No... I didn't ask if I could drink alcohol on the treatment plan. Didn't think I would get the response I wanted...
4 comments:
This is great news!!! Hoping you get bunches more tomorrow! More prayers coming your way.
Rosey
Sounds like everything is going better than plan. This is great news. Looks like you are missing margaritas and mexican food. I just happen to be going to AZ for a few days and I have a great idea! To save you from having to drink and gain all those extra calories, I will have some for you while I'm there!
Keep up the good work on your end and I will keep up the prayers on mine!
Jeanie
Jackosn,
GREAT NEWS!!!! We will continue to lift you and Cher up over the coming days/weeks.
Miss ya, but your faithfulness to post has been a great source of keepin you in front of us... you always make me laugh!
T
p.s. had to change my name because my old ID wouldn't go through)
Uncle Jack,
Im really glad to hear that you were able to get that many stem cells....Its kind of neat to know that what I learned in biology class about Centrifugals and DNA wasnt completly useless(yes interesting but most likely never to be used again in real life situations)...I am really intrested in finding out which section of the DNA is mutated to cause the abnormal proteins. I was also curious uncle jack when they extract your stem cells do they take it from the DNA... Im still a little confused what stem cells are exactly?...I have recently decided after doing tons of research and getting ready to talk to a few doctors I think I would like to be a medical researcher. It will be a lot of hardwork and money but I coulndt think of anything more satisfying than finding a cure for something to help human kind. Maybe one day I can find your Cure (if I ever get out of college:) I really enjoy this blog thing its nice to know where your standing and everything thats going on...I've been praying for you and I just hope you'll keep getting more and more positive feedback like whats happend for you already in your treatments.
I LOVE YOU!!!
Holly
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