The first step in collecting cells for the transplant is to get the bone marrow to produce more blood stem cells. This process is called "priming." Before and during apheresis, Gary will get daily injections of growth factors. Growth factors cause the bone marrow to increase the production of stem cells and move them into the circulating blood so they can be collected. The most common side effects of growth factor injections include muscle and joint aches, and fever.
Stem cells are obtained from your circulating blood through a process called apheresis. Aperesis separates blood into its different parts (usually red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells), and, in this case, separates out the stem cells. Gary's stem cells will be harvested through a central line.
Blood is drawn from the vein and circulates through a machine that removes the stem cells. The remaining blood is then returned to your body through the central line. The collected stem cells will be frozen until Gary has completed the chemo treatments.
Gary will start getting the growth factor shots tomorrow if all goes as planned. These are administered to his stomach and he may have to do this twice a day. He will do this every day through Sunday. At that time, they will test to see how many cells he is making. If the number is correct, he will then start the blood harvesting on Monday. He will go to the hospital every day for 5 days and spend 5 hours on the machine. We appreciate your prayers for Gary during this time. He will also have a MRI on his brain tomorrow. Please pray that the pain in his eye is not a new development.
No comments:
Post a Comment