Update— Progress, but Weakness

Hey Everyone!

If you were temporarily worried, don't be fooled by the blog title. Things are still going pretty nicely on the path toward my stem cell transplant. It's just that now that I've gotten closer to it, this is when the REAL shit is starting, and my energy level has dropped a bit.

First off, the mobilization process got cut short because my stem cell levels shot up much faster than the doctors anticipated, which is a good thing. Not only did it mean they could collect my stem cells sooner, but it meant fewer twice-daily shots to my leg, and that hurts like a bitch.
Along with that, they took out my PICC line...

and inserted a Trifusion catheter...

all in one procedure about two days ago. Not an hour or two after, they brought me in for apheresis, which is the actual process of collecting the stem cells. How does that work you ask? It's a process very similar to dialysis: they basically take my blood out of one line, run it through a machine that separates and collects the stem cells, then pumps the rest of blood back in through another line.

Keep in mind, this device had literally JUST been inserted, and they inserted it through my neck, even though the outside access is on my chest.
*Disclaimer*: None of those images are actually me, but they basically look the same (I made sure of that). Thank Google Images.

The upside: they were able to collect all the stem cells they needed in that one day, which is rare. It usually takes at least two days to collect the adequate amount of cells necessary for an autologous transplant.
The downside: they needed me to come back in yesterday for a blood transfusion because my post-apheresis hemoglobin and potassium levels were low. Despite the fact that it should have only taken a few hours, it took the entire fucking day because someone couldn't get their shit together and didn't order the blood for the transfusion, so I arrived at the infusion clinic and found out my blood hadn't been ordered. I then had to wait for an hour or two before my blood arrived, then even longer because of confusion on the floor, and this is all before I was even called in to receive the blood. Ain't hospitals grand?

Enough about that. I'm going in for my last round of chemo this coming Wednesday, and will be home in time for Thanksgiving. A few weeks after that, I get admitted for the transplant. If I'm not feeling like shit, I'll hopefully continue with my writing and editing.

Thanks to all of you that have been sending me well-wishes. If this all goes well, it just might be the action that'll cure me of this damned Lymphoma.

Comments

[Topaz Moon]

Cool. Glad they were able to get them in one go. Sucks about the blood ordering screw up though.

potassium levels were low

I recommend eating some yummy bananas.

Keep working towards getting better.