The morning started of as usual, many symptoms had been better than the night before with the chemo, their intensity reducing more and more. Got up, had a stretch, ate some breakfast, walked the halls, then thought to myself...geez, I need to go back to bed! Well, good intentions sometimes get pushed by the wayside, as it turned out to be a busy morning. Today, my friend Kristy from Australia is heading back home, and another girl from Edmonton Alberta, named Maja has now joined us up on the third floor.
After goodbyes, easy conversations and a few laughs, I did return to my room to enjoy yet another sub courtesy of mom. Sheer pleasure!
After demolishing my sandwich, I laid down to wait for the Dr. and assistants to come back in to check up on me. The strangest thing happened...SLEEP. Not the light dozy stuff I do at night, followed by being awake for three hours in the middle of the dark, but comfortable, deep sleep. I awoke a couple hours later almost wondering where I was and what time it was. Fortunately for me, it was time for some excitement!
Welcome to the transplant!
Now, while many people are nervous about this portion of treatment, I can truly say; not me. Not even in the least. This is what I came here for and represents one of the last major hurdles for me to cross. The nurses came in, garbed me up for the procedure, placed an ECG, heart rate monitor, and BP cuff on me and we were ready to roll!
Dr. Fedorenko and Dr. Julia then showed up with my stem cells, which were still frozen in liquid nitrogen and began prepping them for transplantation.
Leukocyte Watch:
Now for the leukocytes. Each morning, blood draws will occur to measure what all blood components are maintaining at, or more importantly, decreasing to. My stem cells will take about 10 days to engraft (find their home in the bone marrow and start regrowing my immune system.) The daily blood draws will also confirm which day will be necessary for me to enter into full isolation with no risk of outside contamination. A short, but highly necessary period. Unfortunately means no oranges, apples, eating out, people visiting, etc., but again only for less than two weeks. Heck we've come this far!
One last fun part to the transplant process is that you get to ceremoniously throw your liquid nitrogen across the hospital floor. Adds that last little bit of satisfaction to having come this far and really is just a lot of fun for doctors and patients alike!
As I close tonight, I have to say this is the best I have felt in the past week. I am tired; I am not sick. I am aware my body needs rest; not afraid it is injured. Quite the opposite...healing is happening and that is beautiful!
Love from Moscow