Day 0 – Stem Cell Birthday

The chemo and ATG have now officially finished and should have wiped out my immune system – or they are still in the process of doing so. I am just waiting and checking daily for my neutrophil count to get down to zero.

Today I received 8 million of my own stem cells back to help my recovery. I was told this is a very good amount and should contribute to rebooting my immune system. Apparently my body will regenerate stem cells itself but transplanting some of my own just speeds up the process and makes it safer. I will have GCSF injections again to stimulate stem cell production.

I feel as though I am doing this for the second time because when I had the false start a few weeks ago I was given a few stem cells back then and the injections so this time it’s just on a bigger scale. And that time I experienced some pretty bad joint pain for a few days so I’m expecting that again this time.

I am on IV antibiotics which is given three times a day as a precaution to prevent infections. I’m also still having steroids but they are now being reduced daily to ween me off.

I haven’t been sick or felt ill so far. But I recognise that it’s early days; I’m not out of the woods yet. Professor Snowden (haematologist) called in to see me yesterday and said I was doing great but I had 10 days recovery to go. Professor Sharrack (neurologist) called in today as well. He was in a very jolly mood; much happier than he was when I was diagnosed with flu!

I follow a couple of HSCT groups and have seen how people make a big celebration of this stem cell transfusion day and call it their stem cell birthday. I suppose it’s the birth of a new immune system. Anyway they have balloons, banners and cakes etc. A proper birthday party. Jay said I’d be lucky to get a muffin! Charming! But he was right. All I got was Mum’s broccoli soup and a fruit salad. Happy Healthy Birthday to me!

With all the news about the Coronavirus going about it does make me a little worried for when I come out of hospital with a very immature immune system. I can see me going to live at the caravan for a while when I get out. Get some nice fresh sea air – and probably lots of rain! But I’ll take it.