Stem Cell Donation – Day 9

8-30-11

At least 4 million stem cells are needed for the transplant.  I returned to the apheresis unit this morning to see if we made that goal yesterday.  The total was 3.26 million.  So, I had to take two more Neupogen shots and give some more blood.

I learned that some of the information I put in yesterday’s blog should be corrected.  I said that during the procedure the volume of the blood processed was a little over twice my total blood volume.  Actually, they processed three times my blood volume.  I also said that calcium was added to the blood returning to my arm to compensate for some calcium loss.  Actually, the tingling in my lips was caused by the anti-coagulant I was getting and the calcium treats the side effect of tingling or numbness.

About 80% of the needed stem cells were harvested yesterday, so it wasn’t necessary to take quite as much blood today.  They told me they would only have to process two times my total blood volume.  For some reason, my blood was not flowing as freely today and my nurse, Josh, had to make a few adjustments.  He took great care of me throughout the procedure and we were finished in 2 1/2 hours.

After the tubes were removed from my arms, Josh brought me some juice and Graham crackers.  I don’t think that all 17,000 employees of MD Anderson read yesterday’s comment about not receiving juice after giving the blood cells;  rather, its was probably one of those “ask and you shall receive” things.

Technically, I don’t know for certain if I am through with the harvesting process.  I need to return tomorrow to confirm that the required 4,000,000 cells have been collected, which is all but certain.

I went back to the apartment and took a nap – I was feeling “drained.”