The Harvest

Wednesday morning, I reported to outpatient radiology around 7:00, where I hurried up and waited to have the central line inserted. I was finally ushered into a room that resembled an operating room, but I think it was designed to do things like they were doing to me. It was equipped with a large ultra-sound machine that could also be used as an x-ray machine. The machine allowed the doctor to place things inside of people without bumping around too much.

I put on a gown and laid on a table that had no room for my arms. The nurse (male) attached some arm things, and all was well for lying down. The nurse then put a frame over my head, then I was draped. My head was in a tunnel-like space, and the nurse lifted part of the drape so I could see out of the side opposite from where the doctor (female) was working. I didn't feel quite so confined. The doctor administered a local anesthetic, which hurt, but the right side of my neck was soon numb. After the anesthetic took effect (within seconds), I felt some poking and probing, and at one point, I thought I saw a shadow through the drape of the doctor pushing something into my neck. In a few minutes, maybe 20, my neck had three tubes hanging out, attached to one tube in the superior vena cava.

I then proceeded to the 8th floor, where I received two more nupogen injections, then I went to the aphoresis room. I was hooked up to the aphoresis machine, and we were on our way. Absent the central line insertion, I went through the same procedure Thursday. Wednesday, I was on the machine for about four hours, and Thursday I was on the machine for about three and a half hours.

On Wednesday and Thursday, they collected a total of 4.44 million stem cells; they were shooting for between 5 and 10 million, so the doctor decided more harvesting was necessary. Today, I went through the harvest procedure again for about 4 1/2 hours.

After the procedure today, a nurse (Sharon) took out the central line. Taking out the line was a simple process. She clipped the sutures and pulled out the tube. The exciting part was, she had to push on my neck for about 10 minutes so I wouldn't bleed. My neck was tender, and I felt like the nurse was pushing against a bad bruise. Within a few minutes, however, it was all over, and I am now wearing a bandage with a sticker on it that says I am not to remove the bandage for 24 hours. I also cannot get it wet, which means no shower today. I have not showered for three days. :(

Injection Update (no big deal)

I guess I'm feeling the effects of the injections, but I am one of the lucky ones who only feel flu-like achiness and some fatigue. Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between the effects of the nupogen and old age.

I visited with Jim again this morning. He seemed to be OK. He has his last chemo today. He has tomorrow off, then Thursday begins the transplant.

A Little Humor

I forgot one part of this morning:

A nurse was there, taking care of some things. Jim introduced me, and she asked if I was the donor. Jim answered in the affirmative, and she said, so this is what you're going to look like in a while. I couldn't help but laugh.

Injection One That Was Really Two

I arrived at LDS Hospital this morning, a little after 8, and headed to the eighth floor. A nurse was expecting me and ushered me into a room with three recliners, blood pressure machines, and other sundry equipment. I sat in one of the recliners, the nurse took some vitals, then she uncorked two ten-inch needles and stuck them into me.  Just kidding. :) There were two injections, but they were well administered, into the back of my right upper arm, and I hardly felt anything. Even as I make this entry, my arm is not sore, and I am in no discomfort.

After the injections, I visited with Jim for a few minutes. He looked good and was in good spirits. Brendon was there when I arrived, and he and I left together. I didn't stay long because mom was in the car, parked on the street. She had a small cough and did not want to take the chance of carrying anything infectious into Jim's room.

After the hospital, mom and I attended today's performance and broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. As many times as I have listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir via various media, nothing does justice to the live sound, especially in the tabernacle.

We were going to visit Rick, Amanda, and the boys today, but Rick, Braden, and Evan are sick with flu-like symptoms (major hurling), so we have decided to postpone the visit until everyone is well. I don't want to take the chance of picking up a germ.

We are currently at John's place where we had lunch, and John just invited us for dinner (whoohoo!).