give me those stem cells, baby!

 

Well, this week we collected stem cells for my stem cell transplant.

Yes, this means my bone marrow biopsy showed I am leukemia-free. :)

Using your own cells in a trnasplant is tremendously easier and less risky than using a donors.

I am very, very thankful that I can use my own!

 

Monday morning we went to Radiology bright & early,

where I was to have a chest line (catheter) placed.

My platelets were too low for that, so I had a temporary IJ line placed instead.

Without sedation.

It wasn't completely pain-free, but it wasn't awful, either.

They couldn't begin my stem cell collection then because of my low platelets,

so I went for platelets & blood.

We got home around 8 that night.

I made asian sesame salmon (sooo yummy!), fresh cucumbers & tomatoes, & potato salad.

I was going to do quinoa salad, but....ya'll, that stuff is not good.

Maybe it's because the deli didn't make it right, but I don't know.

I wanted so bad to like it - but we just don't. :(

If you have any ideas on how to fix it at home, let me know!

 

Tuesday was much easier. Again, we were at the hospital from 7-6,

but the stem cell collection went great -- you need about .2.5 million cells for transplant,

but the doctors like 4-5 million to be on the safe side.

I got 3 million! Yay!

By the way: stem cells look like tomato gravy.

I may never be able to eat tomato gravy again!

Platelets were still low, so we went and got another round of them and some antibiotics as well.

Last night we got home so late that we just had whatever we could throw together.

Michael had cereal, I had a pre-made salad from Publix. They are really good!

 

Today we finished up stem cells & got more platelets.

We got back to the Hope Lodge at 5 pm.

I'm pretty whooped today, so I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the night.

I don't have to worry about supper because an organization is cooking here tonight.

 

I hope you are all doing well! I will be back soon!