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Bone Marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside the bones. It looks like a thick red liquid and contains stem cells. Stem cells are young cells in the blood-forming (hematopoietic) system. Stem cells multiply and make red and white blood cells and platelets.
The type of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) that I will be receiving is called an allogeneic transplant (bone marrow is taken from another person, usually a brother or sister). There is a 1 in 4 chance that a sibling will be a perfect match. To find the best donor, a blood test called Human Lymphocyte Antigen (HLA) is performed. Interestingly, the donor and the patient do not have to have the same blood type to be a match. Once matching is complete and about 2-3 weeks prior to donation, additional testing is required (blood and urine tests, EKG, chest x-ray, history and physical exam) to ensure a donor can safely donate.
Once all testing is complete, stem cells are harvested from the back of the donor’s hip/pelvic area (iliac crests) in a hospital operating room under anesthesia on an out-patient basis. The procedure can last from 45 minutes to 4 hours (usually 90 minutes) depending on how much marrow is needed by the patient and how easily it can be removed. On average, about 1 pint to 2 quarts of marrow is collected making up about 2-5% of a donor’s total marrow. It is replaced by the donor’s marrow system within 2-4 weeks.
More to come about receiving a BMT and what I can expect.
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Bev, Not a day goes by that you are not in the thoughts of your family and friends 100 times over. Now is the time for you to let us do for you in anyway we can. You have spent so many years paying it forward it is time to let us be there for you.
ReplyDeleteI remember how you practically pulled my entire wedding together and without you it would not have been the wonderful day it was.
You are there and we are here and we are all together. (Beatles)
Love, Susan
Bev - I would like you to know that more people than you know are pulling for your recovery. I, for one, have been following your blog. You are so in tune with your state of health and are so attentive to what needs to be done. I am so impressed that you can even pronounce the medical terminology and speak in such specific terms.
ReplyDeleteWe all are praying and cheering for you. I have told Carol Ihnat, Joyce Ransone and Louise Bauernfeind, .... all FFG friends of mine who know you. So there are prayers coming from every corner of your world.
So, you should have all the strength you need to pull through this, and through the treatments .... the LP treatments ..... my gosh, girl, ...... you will be one tough mother when this is all over.
We all love you dearly,
Marjie Poffel
Beverly, I can't believe Marjie blogged you first. I think about you everyday, wondering how you are feeling. One of the doctors I work for is an Oncologist and we treat patients in our suite. I do the testing of their blood so your numbers mean a great deal to me. They are not the best as you know and they may get worse but one of the joys of my job is to watch our patients improve and get stronger, go into remission and stay there which happens all the time. I'm going to enjoy watching your recovery. I pray that all goes as anticipated.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude is the best and that's half the battle.
Love, Love, Love..... all you need is.... Love, Love Love....
Lynne
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family today and everyday.
ReplyDeleteNow is not forever.
Love,
Corky & Mike