More information about the stem cell transplant and our Tony's upcoming schedule.
After many looong hours, I've managed to plug in as much information as we know to date, about what lies ahead. The most excellent thing which happened today was a phone call from the head nurse of the Transplant Team. She was gracious enough to answer my legions of questions. The results of our conversation were plugged into the Volunteer's Calendar. This calendar, my dears, is a monumental task, and part of me feels badly we're having to ask for the help.
The other good thing that came out of our conversation was hearing Dr. Craig is going to bat for us with the insurance company, trying to have our Tony admitted to the hospital from the time of his second round of chemo, on into the Transplant, and until he's feeling well enough to be home. Hopefully we'll know something soon, since I believe when the "all systems go" is announced, it's time for launching, with no turning back.
I learned a bit more about the process, through our conversation:
- Tony will receive an infusion of chemo lasting several hours....
- After a week or so, he'll go to the Transplant unit daily for labwork to be done. The labs will tell if Tony's producing enough stem cells to begin harvesting them. This could be done on day one of this phase, or could take a few days.
- Once there's enough Stem Cells to harvest, they'll hook him up to a machine his blood will by cycled through, for 5 to 7 hours each time.
- The second long day of chemo will be done, after Tony's had a few days to rest up. This chemo will zap his immune system into oblivion. Then, a day to rest.
- Next day is the big event... the Stem Cell Transplant, which sounds like a very non eventful procedure.
- The days and weeks to follow Tony will be monitored daily watching for infection, side effects of the chemo, and hopefully within a couple of weeks "engraftment" (new stem cells take hold and start producing more) will take place.
As you can imagine, our Tony's getting a bit nervous, but we're both ready to see this thing through.
Very tired today.... actually going to bed by 11pm! :) Night All!
