The Cure Begins - Happy New Immune System Day!

I awoke to the surprise of feeling pretty good and NO mouth sores. Yay! I try to remind myself to remember - things could be a lot harder at this point! 

After a busy morning, it seemed, on my phone and with staff coming in and out a lot, gowning up with double gloves and masks - to make sure they don't share my cooties with anyone...rolling their eyes most of the time. It was time to gear up for the transfusion of cells. 

Our son, Mason, and his lovely wife, Lara, came which was so great. They live pretty close by. They were here about 1/2 hour before they brought me Benadryl and Tylenol to head off some of the more normal side effects from getting someone else's cells introduced into your body. 

A little while later, my normal nurse and a transplant specialist nurse came in with the cooler - just like you see in the movies. It had come all the way from Germany - just for me. I am just so in awe of that. Both nurses stayed the whole time, watching for reactions. 

The pouch of wonderful 25 year old's cells looked like a pink smoothie and only took about 30-40 minutes to infuse into me. They checked my vital signs every 5 minutes during the infusion and every 15 minutes for a few hours after. 

We ordered pizza and had what felt like a birthday pizza party together. The nurses ordered me a small chocolate bundt cake which we all split. It made me miss you, Nancy! 

I passed every check and then got out for a very brisk walk around the 11th floor with the mobility specialist that walks as fast as I do. It actually feels like a workout with her and we talked a lot too. She made me miss the beach as we both talked about being from California. Those were my favorite days when the boys were young - at the beach all day! 

We ordered pizza and had what felt like a birthday pizza party together. The nurses ordered me a small chocolate bundt cake which we all split. It made me miss you, Nancy! 

I came back to the room and still feel pretty good,..and so grateful for it all! 

Oh ya, I almost forgot. I learned something big today. I will still have chemo for the next few days. We asked and others have asked why we are doing chemo when I just got new cells transplanted. The NP couldn't say if I was getting more chemo or the answer to our question. After she finished her rounds, she came back with her laptop with the answers. They give a chemo therapy to mop up any more of my cells which could develop into more lymphoma and also to kill any adult T cells lingering in the donor's cells. Then the young stem cells that already know they are to be bone marrow cells can graft with my body and build my new immune system. Of course, this is in my words and I hope I am accurate. 

I LOVE my Emotional Support Chicken! Thanks Pam!

They staff loves it too. This is how I found my bed made. 
And my fuzzy comfy pillow. Thanks Silvia and Vic! 


And this ultra plush beautiful blanket full of God's encouragement! 
Thank you Silvia and Vic! 

Our son, Mason came for the big event. 

And brought his lovely wife, Lara. 
The whole thing was fun since they were here. 

So many thoughtful gifts and cards. I love this blanket Cam and Hailey! 

If anyone ever wonders if my big handsome stud likes nuts with everything
(especially baked goods), here is proof. 
He brought a whole big bag of walnuts and is pressing them into his 
hospital cafe cookie. 
Is he cute or what!?!


 

Comments

  1. AndreaFebruary 1, 2025 at 10:35 PM

    Our God is with you, dear Cathie. Sounds like everything went well today. Praise the Lord.

    ReplyDelete

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