Though our appointment was at 7, it was 10:30 before I was finally on the collection machine.
Still, I do worry about myself. And I laid there worrying about my collection bag. As I looked around the room, the other collection bags were filling with that nice milky pink fluid that is the tell-tale sign of stem cells. My bag was mostly red. I asked Mat, my Brigham nurse, about my red bag. He said not to worry, all bags look different, stem cells can take their very own appearance in every bag. I was reassured, but not for long. Later another nurse walked by. "Excuse me. I'm concerned about my red bag. Everyone else has milky pink bags. Am I collecting any stem cells??" I got the same not-to-worry, everyone-is-different speech. Later, I ask my D-F nurse. Same speech. The PA to the Chief of Pathology - same speech. My transplant nurse - same speech, but she said to plan on being back on Wednesday because she was certain I wouldn't meet my target. I knew it!! :-(
At the end of Tuesday, the nurses were taking a guess on how many stem cells I had collected - 2 million, maybe 4 million. I needed 10 million. Linda and I were praying I made at least 2 million, but secretly we both were thinking I collected only 1 million. We left feeling tired and ready for dinner, our spirits still uplifted - we met so many nice nurses and patients! - and we considered options if I needed a third collection day.
Before we left, I gave David a note with my St. Peregrine relic medal. I truly believe it has protected me during my journey with cancer and I thought he needed it. He and his wife were tearful and grateful.
Wednesday arrives: Linda and I were at the Kraft Center before our 7am appointment, ready to go! We were energized and feeling positive. And then I found out the news of Tuesday's collection. Are you ready? I collected 7 million stem cells!!! Linda and I were beside ourselves with joy and surprise!! What a way to start the day!! We settled into our assigned space and as Mat hooked me up to the machine, he said, "See what happens? 7 million stem cells after you had all that bag envy." "Bag envy," I asked, not following his meaning. "You were looking at everyone else's collection bag and you had bag envy, thinking your bag wasn't good enough." I laughed! He was right.
In the end, I collected 15.81 million stem cells. And David, arriving at the Kraft Center wearing his St. Peregrine medal attached on his pants at hip level (stem cells come out of the marrow of the hip bones), made his number, was hooked up to his stem cell collection machine, and his bag was filling up in no time. And it was red.
Today, I feel a bit tired, but healthy, happy, and ready (almost) for the next step: hospital on Saturday for 3 weeks. I'm sitting outside as I type and I plan to spend as much time outdoors as I can over the next days, because it will be mid-September before I am outside again. I am going to eat a lot of blueberries and strawberries and cherries over the next days, because I won't be eating them again until next year. And I am going to offer prayers of thanks, because I know I am blessed.
Linda, you were my guiding grace over these past days. I can't thank you enough. I love you, sister!
Susan, Way to go you strong and gutsy lady! You remain in our constant prayers and David is now added to our prayer list! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news! So happy they were able to collect so many healthy cells, and that David could begin the process. How thoughtful of you to pass on a precious treasure...looks like it worked! I will be sure to pray for David as well. Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and the deliciousness of the berries!
ReplyDeleteLinda Baker