The transplant will be tomorrow. He will receive two bags of cells along with 2 liters of saline. He will then do lab work every day to observe his blood counts. This is when his counts will drop and he will become neutropenic again (highly susceptible to bacterial infections).
Mark will begin an antibiotic IV on March 15th (in addition to the three antibiotics he already takes) and will continue that for several days. He will also be given a Neulasta shot to get the blood cells brewing.
By the 5th day of the process, Mark will become very ill and that will likely continue for about 3 days. Once his white blood cell count stays at 500 for 3 consecutive days, engraftment will have taken place. Engraftment is the point at which the body starts to reproduce the white blood cells and platelets it needs and can once again fight infection. Engraftment usually occurs 12 to 15 days after the stem cells have been given back.
Mark's and Dianna's friend, Kim, is still in the hospital fighting a very nasty staph infection that he may have contracted in the cardiac ward. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kim and Denese.
Please pray that Mark will not have to fight a staph infection like two of their friends have had to.
2 comments:
Hi Bud, I'm sorry the Melphalan has made you so sick to your tummy.
I wish it was me handling it for you. I remember what it's like to be that sick because I was sick like that when I carried you. The whole nine months. But you were worth every minute of it and I would go through it again. Just remember hon, that this to will pass. Love MOm
Hi Mark. It was wonderful to see you and your beautiful family on Sunday. I'm so sorry to hear that the chemo is making you sick this time. I think that you're having this reaction because the medication is so strong because it's absolutely blasting anything that's left of the myeloma. Imagine it killing EVERY LAST CANCER CELL!!! We love you Big Guy. Extra thoughts and prayers are coming your way for a speedy recovery. You'll be at the dunes soon. Take is easy. Lots of Love, Nancy and Uncle Jim
Post a Comment