Mary Jo and I went to Vanderbilt yesterday for her electocardiogram, echocardiogram, blood tests (they took 19 vials of blood), and pulmonary function test. We also met with the a transplant nurse practitioner, transplant doctor and social worker. We now have a clearer picture of what will be involved with Mary Jo's stem cell transplant, and a schedule when the process will begin.
The good news is we will be here for Holy Week and Easter activities. The bad news is the process is a little longer than we thought.
When we go back to Vanderbilt Mary Jo will have another port installed for the transplant. Then, she will receive Neupogen shots to promote the blood cell production in her bone marrow. Her stem cells will then be collected until they have enough to do the transplant. They need 2 million.
We will be home a week, Then go back to Vanderbilt for the transplant. She will have several days of high dosage chemo. Then, her stem cells will be given back to her. This will be her re-birthday, commonly called D+0. We will go home on D+30.
Neither of us can take a chance on getting any kind of infection that could affect her transplant schedule. If either of us is sick when we go down there on the 28th, they will send us home and re-schedule the transplant which means we would have to lease an apartment again. So, it is incumbent on both of us to stay well.
Thanks in advance for you continued thoughts and prayers,
Gerry
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