Stem Cell Donation – One Week Later

Stem cell donation – One Week Later

9-6-11

As I said previously, the only thing that matters about my stem cell donation is whether the transplant my brother will receive next week is successful.  Still, some folks have been kind enough to ask how I am feeling a week after the harvesting process was completed. 

Thank you for asking.  I am feeling pretty close to whatever it is that passes for normal. 

White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections, invading bacteria and viruses, and similar threats to the body.  Their activities cause the fever, muscle aches, fatigue and other fun symptoms that come with the flu.  The Neupogen injections caused my white blood cell count to more than triple.  The cells, of course, thought they were being called to destroy some invading organism, so they created the achy, feverish response while they went looking for something like a virus.  White blood cells only live a short time, though.  A week after the injections were finished,  most have died.  As a result, I am getting close to having my usual blood chemistry back.

Paul’s chemotherapy begins tomorrow morning – the first step in getting him back to health.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *