Bone Marrow Transplant sounds like such a big deal. It conjures visions from medieval times, like having each limb split down the middle and slathering some else's marrow in there like peanut butter. Still, others might think 1970s daytime soaps, where the “leukemia patient” is lying listless inside a plastic bubble, where no one can touch her. It’s always unclear just how the bone marrow got in or out of her and the bigger mystery is how her make-up stays so perfect.
Well, I’m here to answer all. The first bone marrow transplant took place in the 1950s and the basic procedure itself hasn’t changed much. It’s more like who they can transplant (unrelated vs. related donor), the better drugs available and the benefit of more than 50 years of history.
There’s never a “surgery.” First, a lot of research happens to find the right donor. It’s based on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, which examines Chromosome 6, the location of many genes that control immune compatibility. For two people to be a good match for transplant, they have to have several alleles (markers within a gene) in common. Believe it or not, blood type doesn’t have anything to do with it! The best match you can have is a sibling match. The next best thing is highly matched unrelated donor – That’s what I have.
Once the research is done, the transplant is a piece of cake. On Wednesday, June 18th around 2pm, two nurses came into my room with a bag of stem cells. Quite frankly, it looked like a bag of tomato juice, a little more pink than blood. They checked and double-checked my name and information against the stuff they brought, hooked it up to the IV and then drip, drip, drip …
I tried not to think too much about the fact that I was receiving someone else’s stem cells – a stranger’s no less! But I have to say here that I am extremely grateful. If she had to go through half the paper work and physical tests I did prior to transplant, she deserves a medal. It heartens me to know there are still really good people in this world who will do something just for the sake that it will help someone else.
Afterwards, some of the hospital staff brought Ann and I some cake to celebrate my “second” birthday. Too bad I haven’t had an appetite for days! Then Ann stayed with me while I slept. At some point, I developed a fever, which was a little scary, but doctors now seem to believe it has more to do with some of the chemo I had earlier in the week. I also experienced some serious body aches. It felt as if the new cells were taking nutcrackers to my bones in order to get in and set up shop.
Now, both immune systems in my body are completely repressed while the doctors give me another chemo, Metotrexate. The Metotrexate will kill off any of my donor cells that are too aggressive. In three months, we’ll start to slowly bring the immune systems back on board and watch the sparks fly! (Or, as nurse Kristina says, “That’s when things get a little more interesting.”)
All in all, I feel pretty good today. I think that any of the ills I’m experiencing (nausea, headaches & fatigue) are largely hangovers from the mass-blast chemo I received last week. Me losing my appetite? Who woulda thunk?
--Katie
Comments (10)
Katie-
Good to hear that you still have your sense of humor in tact, love the peanut butter metaphor. Played some backgammon with Ian last night and he gave me the skinny on your new digs. Sounds like you're settling in nicely. Don't get too comfortable, I'm looking forward to you getting hungry again so I can cook for you.
Kai sends her love and make sure to ask Ian for the Deadwood series on HBO, I think you'd totally dig it.
Love you.
Matthew
Posted by Matthew | June 20, 2008 2:31 PM
Posted on June 20, 2008 14:31
This morning at 6 AM Bob checked into Mayo Clinic Hospital here. At 7:30 he had surgery to remove half of his thyroid and a goiter that had grown internally down to the arch of his aorta. All went well, and I left him sleeping off the procedure. There is every reason to hope that he will be home this weekend. Meanwhile, I have the four dogs to handle as well as the continuing saga of Ruth's health. (Bob's mom, almost age 93.)
Between my day and the picture of you, Katie, I find myself reflecting on the Time in the Hospital. Does it tick at a different rate than Time on the Freeway? This is not a question for physicists or physicians. It is for patients and those who love them.
To be in the hospital is to live in a parallel universe. Time slows and is measured in drops per minute into a vein or degrees of fever. These measurements sap me more than time on the treadmill. My sitz apparat develops chair ache, but I don't want to be anywhere else. I want to "be there" for Bob. I want to channel energy to you by studying your picture.
I grabbed a cup of coffee and muffin in the hospital cafeteria. A cluster of white coats embroidered with "Transplant Team" passed by my seat. Organ or cell, I wondered. Could be either. I thought of you. I thought of those sitting with you through the challenges of Hospital Time--Hello, Ann, Barb, Ian, Peter, et al! I hope that today has been a good day for Katie and for each of you.
Til next time, Eva
Posted by Eva | June 20, 2008 5:01 PM
Posted on June 20, 2008 17:01
Dear Katie,
Thanks for the information concerning the BMT. It was really interesting and I'm so gald tp hear from you. Really miss you when you cannot POST.
I am work right now and it is 4am and this is the first time I've had a break except to go to the bathroom since 6:30 last night. I have 6 patients-started out with 5, discahrged one and admittted 2. LOTS OF PAPER WORK. OH, well.
Love you much,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Posted on June 21, 2008 02:28
Katie, your words are way more insightful to the experience you're having than those technical volumes that describe the process! The science is fascinating, but the part I'm most concerned with is your personal feelings and response. So it's good to know that you're weathering it all well, considering the amazing process that's going on in your body. You're in my thoughts and I am sending you lots of good energy...hope it's reaching you across town.
Posted by Laura | June 21, 2008 7:41 AM
Posted on June 21, 2008 07:41
Good evening Katie! ou amazing, courageous woman you!!
I was happy to read your post this evening and your sweet picture. I can only imagine all the emotions you are going through these days. Quite a journey you are on!
I'm glad to read that everything is going so well and I look forward to getting nothing but good reports!
I was in San Francisco this morning to take a Notary exam, and the whole time I was there and as I looked at the Golden Gate Bridge, I was thinking of you!! I was tempted to go visit, but I'm thinking you're probably better off getting an email from me at this point.
Sending you much love and many, many positive thoughts and prayers!
Jean
Posted by Jean G. Barnes | June 21, 2008 7:34 PM
Posted on June 21, 2008 19:34
Every four years I take leave of my senses and imagine my body doing the leaps and twists of the Olympic gymnasts. Tonight the Women's Gymnastic trials were televised. I sat transfixed on the couch. Half a lifetime ago I would have done a backbend as if to tell my body that there might yet be hope for a spot on the team. Ha! Tonight I sat sensibly, knowing that backbends are best left as a memory. Just as important, life has taught me that appreciating is a worthy accomplishment. The time and dedication the women have poured into their gymnastic performances are staggering. I gave them a standing O in my living room--not that they knew it, of course. Still, I appreciated their achievements. On to Beijing!
My thoughts turned to you, Katie. Deep in your marrow there are cells putting on the performance of their lives. Leaping, twisting, multiplying, dividing--I salute them. And I salute you, Katie, for hosting their performance. It can't be easy. In the macro picture, you sit in bed as Olympian events take place in myriad micro bodily venues. I salute those tomato-colored cells. Three cheers for the donor! Hurrah for the scientists and medical that figured out the procedure! I appreciate everyone and everything that is working to bring home the gold for you. But most of all, I appreciate your role in all of this--sitting in bed, taking the side effects, blogging to us. I give you my standing O. On to the Victory stand!
Bob did so well that he was released from the hospital this afternoon. He doesn't have much voice. I am in charge of yelling at the dogs! With four of them, there is always something to say. As I say goodnight to you, it is time to say "outside for business" to them.
Lovingly, Eva
Posted by Eva | June 21, 2008 9:39 PM
Posted on June 21, 2008 21:39
Hey Katie! Thanks for the update. I love the peanut butter analogy, too. Now I'm imagining your bones like sticks of celery, with PB slathered inside. And now, I'm hungry. And slightly disturbed.
Sorry to hear you've lost your appetite! I am sending you virtual bacon vibes... Everything is better with bacon, right? Even bone marrow transplants.
I leave for Munich in 2 days - whee! and eee! I'm mostly packed for the trip but my apartment is still in shambles. oh, well. So it goes.
Thinking of you fondly.
love,
Charlene
p.s. Check out this guy surfing on the Isar river that runs through central Munich: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m8roberto/2597875271/in/photostream/
Posted by Charlene | June 22, 2008 11:54 AM
Posted on June 22, 2008 11:54
Well, I suppose I had always envisioned some really crazy procedure involving lasers and tupperware, so I'm glad to hear it's much easier on you than all that... And I'm glad that we're into the + column days now! May every day be more "positive" than the last (damn I'm good!). I've officially left NYC and am on my way (slowly) across the country to the left coast. Look forward to seeing you, Ian, and Zac soon! In the meantime, thanks for keepin all us out here up to date.
Cheers,
A
Posted by Aaron | June 22, 2008 3:25 PM
Posted on June 22, 2008 15:25
Katie!
I've been thinking of you everyday while I chase little Jessie around! She just turned one and, though she is not walking yet, she's fast! And, now that I'm pregnant again, she seems REALLY fast! I love reading about your visits with Zach -- that must really lift your spirits. What a little trooper he is -- positive and fun to be with! I guess he takes after his mama!
Here's a random thought for your day -- I keep thinking about this movie I saw recently where this man was totally paralyzed in the hospital -- unable to speak or move -- and people kept coming in and turning the TV on to these rotten channels and leaving the room! So, when you get really bored, just remember, it's always nice to be able to at least change the channels!
Please keep blogging! It's great to hear how it's going!!!!!
Please know that I am thinking of you.
Lots of LOVE!
Lisa
Posted by Lisa | June 22, 2008 6:18 PM
Posted on June 22, 2008 18:18
Katie!!
Thanks so much for keeping us all up to date. It's good to feel like I have a connection with what's going on, even though I'm not able to come over there and say hello. Once again, I am reminded that you are such a good writer!
We're all thinking of you and Ian and Zach every day. I keep having this image in my head of your marathon photo where you're pumping your fists in the air because you did it! You got it in ya Katie, and we're all here to support you along the way.
Much love,
Ryan
Posted by Ryan | June 24, 2008 10:06 AM
Posted on June 24, 2008 10:06