We visited with the transplant team on Friday, July 11, 2008. We had been told to plan on about 5 hours and they were right. Ralph had his vitals taken, then met for about an hour with Amity, the Physicians Assistant. Amity wanted a history of what has happened and how we got to this point. After we finished Ralph's history, Amity left us and met with Dr. Ford.
We had about a 30 minute break. I was able to get a sandwich for my daughter. Being pregnant, she is hungry 'all' the time. It was a kind of nice to have a little while to just visit with one another.
Dr. Ford, Julie and Amity came back and then we started discussing Ralph's condition. Dr. Ford talked about two different studies and how they apply to Ralph's situation. He reviewed the medical records and Ralph's current status. We were told Ralph's heart has been affected by the Amyloidosis. The exterior has some rigidity and the wall between the ventricles has some thickening. We were hoping there hadn't been any impact to his heart. At this point, we were terrified Dr. Ford was going to tell us Ralph didn't qualify for stem cell transplant (SCT). I think all three of us stopped breathing at this point. Dr. Ford continued, Ralph's heart still is functioning at a normal level. Breath In
Then the good news, Dr. Ford believes Ralph is eligible for SCT. But then Dr. Ford gave a different prognosis then our local doctors. The SCT might only prolong Ralph's life for 3 to 4 years. Even though Dr. Ford shortened the time we had been told previously, we are grateful for everything the doctors are doing to help Ralph.
Now for the process and the timing of the SCT.
1. Get approval from Insurance Company
2. Finish any medical workup which isn't completed
3. Stem cell collection
4. Two week rest, then in to the hospital
5. Chemotherapy
6. Stem cell transplant
7. Release from hospital but Ralph must stay within 30 minutes of the hospital for two to three weeks
8. Home and recovery
9. Three months after transplant, test to measure amyloid protein
We will keep you updated as we reach each step.
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3 comments:
What is SCT? Stem Cell Transplant?
So does this mean that everyone is going to get tested to see if they can donate? My bro-in law has Luekemia and luckily both his sister and my husband are matches so if it gets to that point he'll be able to get the transplant that he needs!
Thanks for keeping us posted!!
My thoughts are with the whole family as you guys deal with this ordeal. The blogspot is a great idea so you don't have to re-explain info to everyone, or have the info get mixed up as it travels through the grapevine. Can the SCT be repeated every few years to continue to prolong life?
Yes, SCT is stem cell transplant. And bone marrow transplant means the same thing too. Ralph will have an autologous stem cell transplant, which means they will harvest and use Ralph's own stem cells. Luckily, we won't need to fine a donor. Also, because they are using his own stem cells, the recover is a little faster.
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