Ready for the BMT
Sam started receiving the donated bone-marrow/ stem cells at 5:06pm. It is 6:50pm as I write this. Everything is going well as Sam has not had any reactions to these currently foreign cells – cells that will become his own. He should have all finish reciving the material in the next twenty minutes. Sam is sleeping through it all.
Today is the day and Sam is ready!
Sam had a couple rough days leading up to today but he is now comfortable, settled into the the isolation room, and ready to take on the BMT. The actual transplant will happen later today and should be rather anti-climatic. The transplant is similar to receiving blood the difference being that the material in the bag will be bone marrow stem cells. These cells will take up residence in Sam’s bone marrow and start generating new blood – transplanted blood providing a new immune system.
Yesterday went well. The greatest challenge was moving Sam across the hall. It sounds simple but I was wiped out by the end of the day. In moving over everything had to be sterilized. Most items were thoroughly wiped, and placed in clean containers. Laundry had to be re-done as I had not washed the clothes to BMT clean standards. The medical team also had a big task taking all of the furniture out of the room, sterilized the room, and then they cleaned and sterilized each piece of furniture before returning it.
Sam’s isolation room is similar to the other rooms here on the ward. It has his medical bed, a recliner chair and a fold down couch/bed for Tina and I. The difference is that there is a small anteroom. This room has two sets of glass sliding doors. One door leads to the ward and the other to Sam’s room. Only one door is allowed to be open at one time to ensure that the air in Sam’s room is clean. In the anteroom we clean any items before they are passed into the room. It also in this room that we put on gowns to cover out ‘dirty’ outside world clothing. It is actually much simpler for Tina and I to leave and enter than I had expected.
Yesterday’s highlights was seeing friends. Sam was able to visit with Ben while Tina and I visited with David and Krista C. – following their visit Sam moved to the isolation room. In the evening Uncle Cal stopped was able to wave at Sam through the window. Senga and Tina were also able visit.
Upcoming today
Off course today is the day. Sam will receive his bone marrow transplant. This will be likely be sometime in the afternoon but it completely depends on when the donor material arrives. We have no idea if it is coming from within the city or from across the globe. In a couple years there may be an opportunity to meet the donor. Whoever you are I can not thank you enough!.
Victories and concerns
There are many known and unknown concerns that will present themselves during the BMT process. Potential illness, establishment/engraftment of the donated bone-marrow/ stem cells. Numerous potential complications. We are thankful for a medical team that has a plan for all of it.
We are thankful that it seems Sam’s pain management is now under control, including options to address any spikes in pain.
We are thankful for friends that are able to visit.
It had been amazing to see Sam out from under the influence of chemotherapy. To see him return to strength of mind and to have capacity for more activity. It is hard to see him have this strength pulled away from him.
Thankful for friends who have chosen to meet regularly to pray for Sam. If you would like to join them talk with Beth H., Krista C., or contact the Westwood Church office.
We have completed a major chapter in Sam’s treatment. With the completion of this last/ sixth round of chemotherapy and targeted radiation. We now pivot to the bone marrow transplant – this current and upcoming treatments brings hope of removal of the disease but also anxiety about both the challenging process and the potential for long term side effects. We hope and pray that this treatment will be effective in beating the cancer for life.
It is flu season and covid is still out there. If any of us get sick it will add challenges to Sam and the BMT process as he will be entering a phase where he has no immune system for weeks.
We are continually thankful for our medical teams here. They continue to provide incredible care. They are always open to conversation and answering questions. They have been incredibly pro-active and I am glad we are prepared for the next steps.
In preparation for the BMT there are numerous items that need to come together:
- Due to some timing and logistics we have had to change donors. We are thankful for this current donor who will provide a peripheral blood sample and is a good match for Sam.
- We are desiring that side effects both immediate and long-term would be limited. Ideally, that there would be no measurable side effects long term.
- The medical team has a huge coordination task ahead of them. From our meetings with them it seems all of the pieces are coming together, but with so many moving parts it is easy for things go wrong.
- These last days leading up to the BMT are very busy with lots of drugs running all day. Concerns during this time are that everything is able to be delivered as planned and that Sam does not have any overly negative reactions to any of this.
We are thankful for the support of family and friends. Thank you for your notes of encouragement.
There is always concern as the cancer remains. We long for the day when Sam is clear of this disease.