Stem Cell Donation – Day 10

8-31-11

Six point one million.

For my brother’s stem cell transplant, at least 4,000,000 cells were needed.  Over the two days of apheresis, 6,100,000 were collected. 

The bone pain from taking the Neupogen is worse today than it has been any other day, but I don’t care.  I accomplished what was needed from me and I am now back home  in Colorado.

Of course, none of what has occurred during the past 10 days is meaningful if the transplant to Paul doesn’t proceed successfully.  He begins the preparation tomorrow, and he has some difficult days and weeks ahead.  I will post updates as we know how he is progressing.

I am very tired tonight, so this is a short post.  For anyone who is interested in becoming a donor – not everyone has a sibling available to donate, so donors are needed – good information is available through the National Marrow Donor Program, www.marrow.org or from your local blood bank.  If anyone would like additional information about my experience, you can post a comment here or email me at info@ralstoncreekreview.com.