Day Zero- Transplant!

On June 7, 2011, at 8:08am, my Dad underwent the first part of his stem cell transplant. At 2:28pm, he underwent the second part of his stem cell transplant.

Certain numbers in the Chinese culture are believed to be auspicious. This is based on the Chinese word that the number word sounds like. The word “eight” sounds similar to “prosper”, “wealth”, and “fortune”. The Chinese put great value on the number 8. The number 2 is considered a good number in Chinese culture- “good things come in pairs”. Since we are part Chinese (I dare you to guess who)… 8:08 and 2:28… were great signs to us today!

Typically, with an allogenic stem cell transplant, patients would receive one transplant of two bags. The reason my Dad had to undergo two transplant sessions was because the cells that were harvested from Uncle D had an increased level of WBC’s. An elevated level of WBC’s in the donor cells, can lead to an increased risk of toxicity with the recipient. For that reason, they split the amount to be transplanted into 2 sessions, to transfuse a safe amount of WBC, eliminating toxicity risk.

The donor stem cells were thawed in my Dad’s room, and administered to him via his CVC line. My Dad experienced some immediate and intense side effects during the transplant, but the side effects quickly subsided once the transplant was finished infusing. It was crazy! What we really want you to know is that the transplant went ‘as planned’. No complications, and no adverse reactions.

Jer is currently resting easy in his hospital bed. I am stretched out on the bed next to him, eating Kernels popcorn… delicious! (That’s right…. TWO beds… good things really DO come in pairs)

When my Dad got diagnosed on January 14^th, the thought of a transplant was so far from my mind, it was just an ‘option’ that was to be explored at a later date. Well that ‘later date’ was today. We have fought one hell of a battle to get here, but we made it! Our fight is nowhere near over; some could say it is almost just beginning (again). Today my Dad was given an extraordinary gift, one that offers hope. His gift will now act as a tool, which will aid him in his journey to reach his ultimate goal, remission. In a few weeks we will find out if his body has accepted the transplant (grafted) and has begun to produce new, healthy cells. We will continue to take this journey day by day; as I am sure there will be new challenges to face, hardships to overcome, and tiny victories to celebrate. Today… we celebrate. We made it!