As Sharlah says, the actual process is relatively simple. It's so great that they can now use stem cells and placentas for this process. I'm taking a deep deep breath, and praying on a museum visit today. Maureen
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We are so very thankful that there is a cure for Bekah and the Dr's are working hard to cure her.
Yesterday was a hard day for mom, so-so for Bekah. She is done with Chemo and continued the ATG and started entire body radiation. She only got sick once and up came some apple juice she drank. I am praying she doesn't get the sores in her throat and mouth that will make it even more difficult to eat.
Radiation yesterday and today- They do radiation to kill any cells left in the body that Chemo didn't kill. This is how the finalize wiping out the system completely.
IT didn't hurt her, just made me so nervous! I had to take her into this room, where they had done measurements when we came out last time over her entire body. The only thing they try not to hit with radiation is her lungs-to try to save those. There is a chance of secondary diseases later in life from all this, but we do what we have to do (and ask God for help). They then made her lie very still for about 20 minutes (she listened to a CD from her friends Leah and Tara) and I was asked to leave the room and went out where these 8 inch doors closed behind us leaving her alone.
Once she was done with that, they turned her to get the other side. She did great- I was the mess! We then went back to do another 12 hours ATG treatment. I think (fingers crossed) that we are passed the side effects for ATG treatment.
She has had to have platelets every day or so because the chemo and radiation kill the cells at a rapid rate. Dr. Graham said this is how he can tell that her system is being wiped out, so not to worry about the increased frequency of transfusions.
Today is -1!!!! Last day and tomorrow is stem cell day! It could take 2-3 weeks for stem cells to en-graft, leaving Bekah very vulnerable because has absolutely no protection if she was exposed to something now. This whole thing almost seems anti-climatic.... all this and then tomorrow they just do a transfusion of stem cells. Strange how simple the actual transplant is.
So today we do radiation and ATG again. Please pray for her to be infection free during the vulnerable period of the stem cells finding their way to her bones to en-graft. Please pray for the stem cells to en-graft successfully. Please pray for those stem cells not to attack her body once they do en-graft. (Graft vs Host Disease.)
We love you all so much and I want to thank-you all for you support! Kim told me she set up a meal support for Rich and Michael 2x a week. We are both so grateful! You should have heard Rich..."I feel guilty, but I am so grateful, but I do feel guilty." I want you to know, that is has helped him out so much. He works such long hours and now he has the mess of a house to deal with from the water damage of the water heater, so I know how much it helps him. Plus- It takes a little bit of the worry away from me about him and Michael. I know you are stepping in to help, were I cannot. THANK-YOU! (Thank-you Kim for getting that set up too!)