Jo received her new stem cells today at about 11am. The entire process took only 5 minutes. When they pulled out the little bag of stem cells I thought for sure they had lost 3/4 of Uncle Eddie's donation. The nurse assured me that what we needed was in the bag.
Jo slept most of the afternoon, but she was up and about by dinner. Over the next 14 days, it is critical that she spend as much time as possible out of her bed while she is awake. Significant amounts of lying down creates an environment for pneumonia to develop. When we stand up or sit up, our lungs expand more when we breath and they stay cleaner and healthier.
The chemo has destroyed Jo's original stem cells, so right now she is not producing many white cells, red cells or platelets. For the first time in several years, Jo received a platelet transfusion today and she'll start getting red cell transfusions soon. White cells do not live long enough outside the host to be transfused. Sometime around Day 14, we expect to see Jo's new stem cells start producing white blood cells.
White cells are pretty important in our daily lives. They are the "helpers" that fight all the bad things that try to attack our bodies and they "fix" all the things that need fixin' as they say in Texas. That's what makes the next 14 days so critical. Without white cells, Jo's body just doesn't have the ability to fight off much of anything.
Looking at Jo right now, it seems like she'll be ready to go home in a day or two. It's hard to believe that is not the truth!
7 comments:
GO JO GO!
See you soon
Meema
How perfect - right in between the 21st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (a new beginning, just like Jo) and Veteran's Day (just like Jo, a veteran of so much these past years and a hero to so many people for her courage and grace).
Luv you guys, and we all here in Colorado Springs still have you wrapped up in big ol' virtual hugs! (First snow yesterday, so we're really just huddled together to keep warm...:)) A.J.
So very happy to hear Jo has energy for a walk at this phase of the treatment. Thanks for the photos. Loved to see her smiling--she's a pro at smiling just as much as dancing. You all will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, especially so during the next 1 1/2 to 2 weeks as the effects of the chemo peak. Thank you, Tim, for taking time to write the updates. Were you the one to get the birthday balloons, too? So cute and appropriate.
Valerie in Oklahoma
Happy Birthday Jo.
I look forward to seeing Jo again.
I pray so that Jo regains health.
from Japan
Way to Go Girl! Keep up your fighting spirit! Love you
Happy New Birthday, Jo! Love & miss you much!!! Healing thoughts being sent your way.... and of course LOTS of hugs!
Kristin Ague-Zimmerman
Happy Birthday, Jo!
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