Had the phone call saying all systems go – I would be on the machine at some point today. So I made my mum straighten my hair otherwise definitely wouldn’t have been any photos taken.
They came at about 11.00am. I had an anti anxiety tablet (can’t remember what it was called) because I was quite nervous. Not sure whether it worked because I was really anxious about having cannula needles – one in each arm. So now I’ve got 3 cannulas, one for the antibiotics up on the ward – the nurses here won’t use that because they dont want to upset the doctors from P ward. And 1 for stem cell collection and 1 to put the blood back in.
My stem cell count this morning was 13. 10 is the minimum to enable collection to take place so Ive only just made it for today. They don’t expect to be able to collect sufficient cells today so I expect to be back on the machine tomorrow to finish off.
The nurses said they found some juicy veins for the canulas; that didn’t seem to alleviate my anxiety! I was crying before the first needle even went in. Mum told me to use my Hypnobirthing breathing. That’s so easy to say from the other side of the room! But then as soon as it was done I said ‘oh, is that it then’.
I felt even more stupid when someone came in as a stem cell donor; but I don’t think I could do that.
My arm with the needle that is taking the blood has to stay straight. And apparently the needle in the other arm is meant to be able to move. But I darent! Using the commode is interesting.
Got a picture message from Jay this morning; Max is dressed in a Christmas jumper! That is why I choose their clothes.
Back on the ward; one more lot of GCFS injections to stimulate more cells ready to go back on the machine tomorrow. Yey! Another 2 canulas to go in!
Had confirmation that they collected 1.9 million stem cells today, the minimum they needed was 2 million but they’d realistically like more than 2 million if they can get them. So back on the machine tomorrow at 8.30am for another 3 hours. So close but yet so far. Never mind. I have also had confirmation that I will be going home tomorrow afternoon. Whoooo
So time to get some rest ready for the morning
My MS Stem Cell Journey 