TRANSPLANT DAY, DAY ZERO!

Yes, the transplant went smooth.  The nurses even gave us this cool certificate!

 

NOTICE TO ALL GRANDKIDS!!!!  Grandma Hanna hereby challenges each and every one of you to a popsicle eating contest!  Mind you, she ate SIX popsicles during Chemotherapy Treatment and now she believes that she can't be beat!  Next time we see you........POPSICLES!!  GAME ON!!

Day 0 via Pictures:

5:30 am we were greeted by our nurse and this cool message.  It's been six months since diagnosis and mention of a Stem Cell Transplant.  We are finally ready.

The lab tech in white gloves and white coat brought Hanna's Stem Cells to our room in a cooler (that is the box to his left with the purple top).  When he opened it, steam from the dry ice came flurrying out.  For a moment, I thought we were going to get some delicious homemade Root Beer.  But no, I was wrong on that.  It was the Stem Cells.  Here, in this picture, he is carefully thawing them out in a pan of warm water.  There were four bags total.

Hanna and the reunion with her Stem Cells.  That is the same look that Frivvy has when we come home and see him for the first time after a long trip.  The first four hours of the process were her receiving a ton of fluid via IV and her port for proper hydration.  The Stem Cell packets also contain a preservative that will be flushed out in her urine and breath.  She was happy that the hydration was over and the Stem Cells finally showed up.

The bright red stem cells being allowed back into Hanna's body via her port.  Unlike other meds and hydration, gravity is used instead of a pump.  I guess that makes it safer for the Stem Cells.  I doubt they would want to go through a pump.

Two incredibly nice and alert nurses, Michelle and Katie, were there for the entire 30 minutes or so that it took to transplant the Stem Cells back into Hanna's blood stream.  One monitored Hanna's vitals continuously, recording them every five minutes.  The other handled the bag of Stem Cells, making sure it was draining properly, and motioning to the lab tech when she needed another bag.  We were in very good hands.  Hanna distracted herself with her Crossword Puzzle.

There goes the last of the Stem Cells.  The nurse was very careful not to waste even one cell, draining the tubing thoroughly and then pushing the remaining cells into Hanna's system with some Saline Solution.  The Stem Cells are happily swimming around in Hanna's Blood Stream and slowly finding their way back home into her Bone Marrow where they will begin doing their job, making new cancer-free blood.

And just for kicks, here was our view out the hospital window, looking Southwest from Floor 9.  Those are all Mayo Buildings.  Cool architecture and Skywalk.

After the Stem Cells were all back in Hanna's body where they belong, we continued hydrating for four hours.  This was a long 10 - 11 hour day.  Hanna was in no condition to celebrate, even the suggestion of more ice cream received a "no".  She was exhausted and went back home and slept for several hours, had dinner, and then went to bed.

How is Hanna Doing?

Hanna is doing great!  We had the first "scare" during the transplant.  Before the Stem Cells were replaced into her blood stream, they injected a strong steroid, Benadryl, and Lasix to prevent allergic reaction to the preservative and to help her expel it.  Just after they started with the Benadryl, Hanna told them her throat was contracting, which is kind of scary.  She did say she could still breathe.  They slowed the process down, Hanna concentrated on breathing, and it turned out OK.

She has struggled with nauseousness, but has several different drugs to use for that.  She doesn't feel like eating, but has forced herself to, regardless.  She is fatigued and is taking a ton of naps.  She did go for a walk today.  She is being encouraged to hydrate, get enough calories and protein, and to get up and get around each day.  She is doing that like it is part of her job, which it is.

What Now?

We have a standing daily appointment at the Clinic (10:45am) for a checkup.  They take her vitals, draw blood, and both an RN and a Practitioner examine her closely.  The RN quizzes her on taking her meds, hydration, nutrition, etc.  Next week, a nutritionist will also check in and go over Hanna's food log.  If the blood draw shows she needs Platelets, Potassium, Red Blood Cells, etc., then we will go back in the afternoon for a transfusion.  If her condition is dire enough that she needs better care than I can give her, then they could admit her.  But most patients don't have to do that and we certainly hope to not do that.

She should gradually feel worse with each day as the cancerous cells die and the Stem Cells start to produce new blood cells.  Most patients usually lose their hair on or around day 10.  At about the 12-day mark, she should be able to say she is feeling better each day.

After three weeks of monitoring (they have our last check up scheduled for October 21st), we will likely be cleared to travel home and resume recovery there with our local Cancer Clinic in Post Falls.

On day 100, (in January) we will travel back to Mayo for one day for an overall checkup and a Bone Marrow Biopsy.  That Biopsy will tell us if the cancer is completely gone or not and how the remission looks.

We'll check in via the next Blog post in about a week.  Or sooner if we need even more prayers or have some good news or something.

Today's Miracle:  Given what she has been through the past three weeks, and how much fatigue she has, Hanna says it is a miracle she was able to take her walk today across the play field at the school behind our house.  Thanks for your prayers, they truly are helping.

Hanna's 2 Bits:   zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  (sssshhhhhh.  She's sleeping)