Another Delay

Shoopy
Shoopy Member Posts: 210
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

Hi all!  I just wanted everyone to know that I've encountered another delay before my stem cell transplant.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to collect enough stem cells last week.  They want a minimum of 2 million and after a total of 7 days of total collecting, I only have 1.5 million.  They are reformulating a plan on Monday which may include "harvesting the old fashion way."

So frustrating but know it's the path I must go.  Talk to you all soon,

Karl

Comments

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #2
    Hi Karl

    Hi Karl!  Hope you and yours had a nice Thanksgiving.  Sorry to hear about the delay.  Hang in there buddy!

    Hugs - Jim

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #3
    Sorry for the delay...

    Hi Karl,

     So sorry they didn't collect enough stem cells. Hopefully they will come up with a better way to get the job done. I found a really interesting article that might interest you, or anyone else for that matter, regarding the process for stem cell harvesting. www.­nhlcyberfamily.­org/­treatments/­collection.­htm I always like to read about procedures my fellow CSN Lymphoma friends are having done,as it gives me a better idea of what they are going through. I will keep you in my prayers for total success with the next harvest.Let us know what procedure your doctors decide to try. Hang in there.Smile Best wishes...Sue

    (FNHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63) In remission

  • onlytoday
    onlytoday Member Posts: 609 Member
    #4
    Delay

    Karl,

    So sorry to hear that things have been delayed!  I know you must be frustrated.  Just hang in and know that your family here is with you every step of the way - pulling for you and praying that all is well.

    ((hugs))

    Donna

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #5
    Thanks all

    It's really great to get the support from you guys.  I met with the doctor today.  They did another bone marrow biopsy.  He wants to make sure that the chemo hasn't damaged my bone marrow to the extent where the stem cells aren't viable.  We did this back in July and came through with flying colors.  Also, my blood levels are pretty high which is typical of healthy bone marrow.  He just wants to check to be sure before putting me under and harvesting the old fashion way (knock me out and drill).  Obviously, if the marrow is damaged then we'll start down the donor route...but I think we'll be OK.

    Thanks again,

    Karl

  • MChantal
    MChantal Member Posts: 107
    #6
    Shoopy said:

    Thanks all

    It's really great to get the support from you guys.  I met with the doctor today.  They did another bone marrow biopsy.  He wants to make sure that the chemo hasn't damaged my bone marrow to the extent where the stem cells aren't viable.  We did this back in July and came through with flying colors.  Also, my blood levels are pretty high which is typical of healthy bone marrow.  He just wants to check to be sure before putting me under and harvesting the old fashion way (knock me out and drill).  Obviously, if the marrow is damaged then we'll start down the donor route...but I think we'll be OK.

    Thanks again,

    Karl

    Hi Karl

    Hello Karl, well that is a bummer. I am sorry you are having these bumps in the road. I can only imagine how anxious you are just to get this all done with! Are you getting blasted with neupogen shots to help stimulate?

     

    Wishing the best for you,

    Michelle

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #7
    MChantal said:

    Hi Karl

    Hello Karl, well that is a bummer. I am sorry you are having these bumps in the road. I can only imagine how anxious you are just to get this all done with! Are you getting blasted with neupogen shots to help stimulate?

     

    Wishing the best for you,

    Michelle

    Shots

    Michelle,

    Thank you!  Yes...I was getting GSF shots and Mozobil.  It brought my counts up a bit but not enough.

    Thank you,

    Karl

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,819 Member
    #8
    Shoopy said:

    Shots

    Michelle,

    Thank you!  Yes...I was getting GSF shots and Mozobil.  It brought my counts up a bit but not enough.

    Thank you,

    Karl

    SCT

     

    Still pulling for you Shoop !  It sounds like your doc and the team are very well versed in how to handle your issues, and "drilling" or finding a donor are still options if it comes to that point, so your SCT will happen soon, I feel confident.

    max

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    #9
    Harvest

    Hello Karl, After an especially arduous Thanksgiving "holiday", I am back here catching up with my buddies.

    I am sorry to hear about the troubles with collecting enough stem cells for your transplant. It sounds like they have a plan to get them out of there one way or another. And that is good news.

    I'm still pulling for you and praying for you!

    (((Hugs)))

    Rocquie

     

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #10
    Good news

    I wanted to thank all of you for keeping me in your prayers.  I received news today that the bone marrow biopsy came back fine and that I can still use my own stem cells.  It must be that I'm just stingy with giving stem up to my blood stream.  They are planning to do that harvest 'old school' and drill into the bone to get the rest of the stem cells next week.  That should put my into the hospital for the actual transplant either 12/23 or 12/24.  At this point, everyone (including the kids) are fine with the timing...let's just get this over and behind us!

    Toughest learning of this whole process...it's done on His time...not mine!

    Karl

  • MChantal
    MChantal Member Posts: 107
    #11
    Shoopy said:

    Good news

    I wanted to thank all of you for keeping me in your prayers.  I received news today that the bone marrow biopsy came back fine and that I can still use my own stem cells.  It must be that I'm just stingy with giving stem up to my blood stream.  They are planning to do that harvest 'old school' and drill into the bone to get the rest of the stem cells next week.  That should put my into the hospital for the actual transplant either 12/23 or 12/24.  At this point, everyone (including the kids) are fine with the timing...let's just get this over and behind us!

    Toughest learning of this whole process...it's done on His time...not mine!

    Karl

    Happy for you!

    Hi Karl,

     

    i am so happy that things are resolving and moving along. i know what you mean by, "let's just get this over and behind us!" Kyle, prior to being admission kept asking, "Do I have to do this?" Not because he didn't want to yet, because it is so tiring and he was just ready to be back to "reality."

    What is reality though?

    Keep the positive mindset that you have with you Karl. As you said it is done on His time. He will be with you the entire way.

    I cannot wait to read on here 3 months from now as you say something marvelous about your family and children instead of using the "C" word. Smile

     

    It is merely a moment in time.

     

    Best,

    Michelle

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