DAY “0” Fresh Stem Cells infused!
Yes, Day “0” as it is called..Becky received the 'fresh” stem cells! YES! Hooray! She rested post infusion, but is now sitting up in bed up and is feeling good..The procedure was nothing out of the ordinary..the 'charge' nurse and the RN overseeing Becky today, simply brought the plastic 'life giving' bag into the room, hung it on the 'med tower', and the cells/blood methodically streamed directly into her hickman catheter..we could literally see blood particles or “happily marching stem cells” as Becky called them..they just marched right into her body..The bag was about the size of a large freezer bag, coloration was a pink/red and was only about half full! We said, "that's it?!” and that was indeed it..They arrived last night about 9:30. The count was approx. 8 million and Becky received them all.. Even though it may have seemed low-key and anti-climatic, it wasn't. Becky was EXCITED! WE were silent for a few minutes, giving thanks to God for this life sustaining material, and for a donor who agreed to give this 'life changing' liquid..and we thank all those early pioneers of research, for the patients who endured the early treatment process and of course for the physicians who said..'this can be done'...We just watched the little stems march through that tube and we said 'go do your thing'..Need I say, the next 14 to 21 days, (and even months) are going to be quite significant..Her white blood cells (immune system) will continue to decrease a bit more..yet, the 'good' whites will soon start to increase..We have been told, Becky will experience, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, some possible mouth sores...BUT! every patient is different..so, stay tuned..Her body is/ will be 'fighting' the new stems for just a bit, but the 'new' should eventually be accepted and 'win-out'..She still has chemo in her system and the transplant drugs will be her little friends for quite some time. Again, other than last Sunday, her physical state has been fairly manageable -comfortable..but the REAL work starts now..Her immune system is very, very low..and so much needs to happen within her marrow/body. But again, we thank the Lord for this procedure and all those involved in the process.. Abbey is doing good..appetite and countenance much better..we are grateful for this..
Again, excitement is in the air..WE have another “birthday” to celebrate!
**OH! Correction time: as said at the beginning of this entry, Becky DID receive the direct BLOOD stem cells, not the bone marrow cell separation as written yesterday..
Celebrate life!
Bill and Becky
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We are praising God with you!! You are staying at the top of the prayer list!! Love you! Christine
ReplyDeletePraise Jesus!
ReplyDeleteBe strong and thrive!
ReplyDeleteBecky, You are in all our prayers. We want you to know how much how much we want you to be strong and come back home soon. We love and miss you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jesus! So happy to hear of the happy blood stem cells, good attitude, thankful moments and all in the name of Jesus!!
ReplyDeleteBill, Becky, and Abbey, you are in our prayers,and we are so excited to read the very detailed and descriptive information about the process! May the Lord continue to make this work. You all are so grateful and ready to give the Lord the credit as well as thanking the donor and the medical professionals that I know you are dear to the heart of God--and all the hospital staff also. Abbey can look forward to many years of good times with her cute parents and even to making them grandparents someday! We love you.
ReplyDeleteFred and Rosalyn in Goldsboro, NC
I think Dot and Martha are tugging at God's sleeve and reminding Him to look down on you all with a special eye--MaMa and PaPa Lauten also! MaMa could keep us all straight, couldn't she, Bill?
Praise God for the good news! Thank you for the updates, and please know that you all are covered in prayer. Much love, Amy
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am so glad this part of your journey is over. When I read over this blog and realize the many procedures you have had, I just want to bow my head and thank the Lord for your many caregivers. I know you wil remain optimistic during the next few weeks. With my brother and God at your side, I know you will. WE love you all. Jan
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