Now it’s a matter of ‘watch and wait’! Although I’ve now had the physical stem cells, the actual transplant is ongoing. It will take another ten days or so for the actual grafting of the cells to take place. The grafting is basically when the stem cells actually embed in the bone marrow and start creating new blood cells – this is usually the point where the donor immune system starts to replace my immune system. The grafting is a really crucial period as this is where I will be most at risk of GVHD. For a period of three months after transplant I will be on an immunosuppressant drug called cyclosporine, then I’ll gradually be weened off them and it is then I can realistically start getting my life back together again.
Some of you are probably wondering what the benefits of a stem cell transplant is and why I need it. I need it because my own immune system failed and the cells started mutating causing cancer. To stand a chance of a cure, I need to kill off my immune system and adopt a brand new one. The theory is, the new immune system will be healthy and able to identify bad cancerous cells present in my body and kill them off. I can safely say that without this, I stand no chance of life at all. And it’s for this reason that whilst there’s no guarantee that this will work 100%, I will forever be grateful for my donor. I have no idea who my donor is, where they are from and what makes them tick, but they have restored my faith that humankind can be incredibly amazing and kind. Donating stem cells is an arduous tedious process and for someone to do that for a complete stranger makes them a saint in my eyes – I owe my life to them. And although I’m not out of the woods yet, it doesn’t change that. I’m expected to get quite ill over the next week or two from the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the transplant – it’s normal apparently – but despite that, I can see that beacon which tells me that the end of this hell is in sight. It’s been over nine months now since this fight started and I really do feel like I’m winning it.
Please keep your healing vibes and prayers coming, I still need you guys. The next few weeks will be rocky but I can get through it with your help.Please keep Kat, and Ade, her husband and caregiver, in your prayers. Kat's journey continues to inspire all of us who have followed her online since September, 2012.
Original post from April 9, 2013
Please pray for Kat
I have been following the blog of a young lady from Hong Kong who lives in London England named Kat for several months.
Kat was diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma called Double Hit Lymphoma (DHL) in August, 2012. She went through several months of misdiagnosis and the lymphoma had spread to her brain before it was properly diagnosed.
Kat was supposed to have a stem cell transplant in February, but it was discovered that the lymphoma only stayed in remission for a few weeks, and had reappeared in her spleen and liver. Kat was given a chemo regimen called ESHAP, which her latest PET scan indicated did not get rid of the lymphoma cells. Now, they are going try a regimen called Mini-BEAM.
KAT is a tremendous writer. Her posts whether she is talking about her hope, her desperation, or just trying to find a lighter side to her fight against the DHL are compelling. She also many times provide the reader information broken down about treatments, tests, procedures, etc. so that it is easily understood.
Needless to say Kat, along with her caregiver and huband, Ade, have been on a roller coaster ride since her diagnosis. What Kat has went through would try the patience of any saint.
I have a link to Kat's blog The C Word in the sidebar. Please say a prayer that the Mini-BEAM treatments will get rid of the lymphoma so that Kat can have the stem cell transplant that she so desparately needs.
You can check out Kat's blog by clicking here.
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| Kat and Ade |
Sending prayers Kat!
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