T-0 (Stem Cell Transfer Day)

Today is the day that stem cells from an undisclosed donor will be transferred into my body. This transfer represents the START of the transplant process. As mentioned in a previous blog post, this process differs considerably from solid organ transplant (e.g.. heart, liver, kidney, etc.) in many ways. This difference and how it impacts my perspective on my situation is, I am beginning to realize, one of the reasons I felt compelled to write this blog.

A key aspect of the difference is the length of time that it will take to determine whether the donation is working in the recipient’s body. With a solid organ transplant, the results are generally known, if not immediately, certainly within hours. That is not to say that is functioning optimally or that will not subsequently fail. But … there is an immediate indication of at least early success.

In the case of a stem cell transplant, there are no significant changes to be observed in the period after the stem cells have been transferred from the donor to the recipient. These cells know where they belong in the body (this fact alone blows my mind) and, once injected in the recipient’s bloodstream, make their way to the recipient’s bone marrow. Once in the bone marrow, these cells begin to grow and make new blood cells … this process is called engraftment.

With my first stem cell transfer, the engraftment took a little over three weeks. According to other documents I have read, engraftment can take up 30 days. Once engrafted, the marrow resumes is normal function of producing various blood cells, starting with white blood cells followed by red blood cells and platelet. Possible complications that might occur during engraftment are described in blog post https://cancercardsite.wordpress.com/2023/11/26/t-2-1st-rest-day/

The production of blood cells marks the end of transplant and the beginning of the recovery phase. While I’ll speak more to the recovery phase in future posts, I want people to know that it is the recovery phase that will be most nerve wracking for me. Not only is there is the distinct possibility of serious complications, the likelihood of another relapse is as high as 50%!!!

I know that I am making a big deal about describing the transplant as a “process” (rather than a specific event) and to seemingly downplay today’s stem cell “transfer” event. I do so because I have been her before and have found myself in a position to have to do it again. The possibility that history could repeat itself scares the hell out of me. Hence, my very cautious optimism.

Thanks for listening!

Mike

P.S. Stem cell transfer has started!!