Well the collection went fine today! I got there about 8:30 this morning for my last Neupogen shot. About an hour after that I had to fill out some more paperwork and then I was hooked up to the apheresis machine. Needles don't normally bother me but when I saw the size of these puppies, I got a little nervous. (For those of you that work in medicine/nursing it was a 17 guage needle.) The needles hurt quite a bit going in but I was a big girl. :) It wasn't too long before I started getting really cold. They said this would happen since they are pulling warm blood out of the body and putting it back in several degrees cooler. So they brought me a bunch of warm blankets and covered me up. It was important for me to stay warm because when you get cold it causes your veins to constrict. I also had some tingling in my hands and lips from the anti-coagulant (so my blood wouldn't clot). I've had pretty bad body aches and a headache for the past few days and the painkiller I took last night was wearing off so they gave me another. The collection was a long 3 1/2 hours...I was so glad when I finally got those needles out of my arms. They were starting to cramp from being in the same position for so long. We are waiting to hear from the lab if they collected enough...if not, we'll do it all again tomorrow! The nurses were super nice and they all gave me a hug when I was done.
Getting last Neupogen shot
Getting warmed up with blankets
The apheresis machine
Getting really cold now!
Stem Cells!
All hooked up (pardon the hair!)
The lovely apheresis nurses: Fran, Carol, and Carol
Today was Kara's rest day. She had her final dose of chemo yesterday. She was a little nauseous but tolerated it well. She is doing well today...just resting up for tomorrow!
Pain management team
A little more decorating
Blood sisters!
4 comments:
Blood sisters for life and great sisters forever! Wow what an experience to say you have shared together! I will be praying for you tomorrow.
What a great day for you and your sister. My wife is a nine-year Leukemia survivor because of a BMT from her sister, so I can imagine what you guys are feeling right now. My heartfelt best wishes go out to you and your sister. Go, Stem Cells! Get to work.
Thanks Beccah! I was glad to be able to do this for her. Keeping my fingers crossed that there are no complications!
Marshall, that's awesome your wife is 9 years out! I'm hoping that 9 years from my sis can say the same thing. :)
I will update as sson as the cells are infused! Thanks for the well wishes and prayers.
Look at that flat tummy on the mommy of three! Unreal! Joking aside, I'm so proud of you. You take everything in stride and are a pillar of faith and strength. I'm praying for Kara!
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