This whole process went on for 7 hours. While he didn't have much pain (so he says) during the actual harvest, the injections made him sore, achy, and gave him an intense headache. All "good" things. It means they were working. They were boosting his stem cell production in the bone marrow so much that the bones "expanded" and the stem cells were forced out into the blood stream, hence why he was able to harvest intravenously.
He was asked to come down a couple weeks ago for a day of extensive testing and meetings about the whole process of being a donor. 16 vials of blood, chest x-ray, EKG and a few consultations later he got the go ahead to get the harvest scheduled.
While he was chained to that less than comfortable chair for all of this, I had to pop in and out for a couple appointments for the last of my prep work. And yes, that included another bone marrow biopsy. Let's just say it was rough. I'm not going to dwell on it... but, I will say this is the first one I've cried through, the first one I've demanded someone new step up to that drill, and the first time I've ever had to express how I never want to see that driller Dr. again. Jason, shhhh... please don't tell anyone my sailor mouth came out... When the lab tech asked me for a finger after the chaos concluded for my finger prick, you better believe I handed over the middle finger. Can we all please pray my next biopsy in 100 days is my LAST?!?! FOREVER!!!!
We just got word about the final count of stem cells that were harvested. The goal was 10-12 million and Greg's came in just under 15 million!!! It took a full day to collect those cells... and will just take a short 15 minutes to transplant them into me... I really wanted to celebrate with a cart wheel round off back flip but I'm a little sore. So a loud cheer had to do.
How do you even thank someone for this selfless gift of life? Because that's exactly what it is. Without these new stem cells these awful, horrific, silent diseases that are running through me will take over. "Thank You" just doesn't seem adequate. I mean, I understand I didn't even really give him an option, but... haha! No, seriously. The time off of work, the shots, the hoops, the actual harvest. Greg, you will never know what this means to me. This is what family is all about and how lucky am I to call my clan mine. During my phone call to my brothers telling them they will be tested to see if they're a match, they both absolutely, positively agreed without a doubt. "Whatever it's going to take." Love you big, brother!!!!! I apologize for all those times I was that little sister and caused you shenanigans. Here I am, still causing shenanigans!
He doesn't know this yet, but, I will be asking him to be a guest blogger and write about his whole experience. I'm going to give him a while to bounce back and let his blood and stem cells return to their assigned seats first. I just want everyone to hear from personal experience.
If you are not yet registered to be a hero, please click HERE!!! It's literally a 30 second cheek swab. So simple. And SO priceless.
T - 7 days until I'm admitted for my 4-6 week all inclusive stay. Week 1 is chemo and conditioning. Week 2 is transplant. Week 3 - FOREVER is living my new life SHIT SHOW FREE!!!!!
Be well. Please pray. Send your positive ju-ju. Cross your fingers and toes. The beginning of this journey is off to a fabulous start.
Love,
Rhonda Kay
xoxo
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| Patient. Donor. 💓 |
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| If only I had the patent on this machine... |
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| Sleeping on the job 😉 |
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| 15 Million Stem Cells |
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| All DONE! |
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| Core Bone of my Bone Marrow 😜 |
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