Steps of Transplant

Wednesday appointments went well, and the walk was really nice even though the sun wasn't out. There was a bit of a chill in the air, but no rain.  The leaves are beautiful in their varying colors and there are still some lovely blossoms tucked in here and there.  There is beauty all around!  (I should have taken a picture - maybe I can remember to do that tomorrow.)

Terry's line entrance sight looks good and is ready to use as needed.  We will be changing the dressing/bandage daily for a couple days and then weekly, and we will be flushing the lines daily again.  Even this daily requirement will be so much better than the pokes, so it's all good.  There is a slight change in the way the process they go through to change the dressing, but it's not a big change so it won't be any harder to do.

The doctors seemed to be pleased with Terry's health improvement and are looking forward to transplant which will take place on Nov. 22nd, with conditioning starting on the 18th.

In case you need a refresher, I'll share the steps of transplant (Allogeneic Transplant, which is the kind of transplant Terry is having), as they are listed in the manual we received.

Planning Ahead - DONE
Preparation = Arrive at SCCA and begin medical evaluations, orientation, and get ready for transplant. (This is the stage we are in now.)
Conditioning = High-dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy  (begins on Nov. 18th)
Transplant = Stem cells harvested from the bone marrow (of donor) are infused into patient.  (Nov. 22nd)
Before Engraftment = Patient receives close monitoring, supportive treatment and management of complications while waiting for signs of transplanted stem cells are engrafting (growing and developing). (I don't remember how long it takes to see engraftment taking place, so we'll just have to let you know when that happens, after transplant a few, to several days, or maybe weeks.)
After Engraftment = First signs of engraftment ... immune system is starting to recover.  Close monitoring and supportive treatment.
Long-Term Recovery = Patient leaves the center and further care and treatment is provided by the hometown doctor and resumes life at home.  (They like to say that this takes place about 3 months after transplant, but we've seen that not happen for too many patients here, so we'll see.)


Now for the best news of the day - Terry is no longer in contact isolation, so he doesn't have to wear those masks anymore in the clinic ..., we can sit by a window and see out to the lake.  Everyone seems happy to remove him off that list, but no one can be more happy than he is about it.

The worst news of the day is that Terry will have to have another bone marrow biopsy before transplant. We tried to get them to just use the results of the last one, but they want one closer to the transplant day so that they have a more accurate count on things and to know if something else should be done during the conditioning.  Oh Bother!  Guess we gotta do what the doctor says.  I suppose we'll just be happy that we get to go home again this weekend.  Happy day!