May 6, 2004

Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

I'm sitting back in my apartment and I'm a bit different than I was yesterday. Today my body is filled with marrow cells from a donor on the other side of the world. A donor who wanted to make a difference. A donor who wanted to try and save the life of someone she has never met. What an incredible person she must be. We rarely hear about heroes like this on the evening news, but she is definitely my hero. I hope that one day I can thank her for giving me another chance at life.

My donor sent me this postcard with my stem cells:



Day zero, the doctor's term for transplant day, started out with some blood tests and a physical exam by my nurse. Just one last check that I'm healthy enough to move forward with upcoming total body radiation treatment and the infusion of my new marrow stem cells. Blood tests showed that my hematocrit dropped to 30, which is on the low side, but good enough to proceed.




After my morning exams I had about an hour before TBI (Total Body Radiation). I was feeling pretty uptight and I told Michelle I just needed to get away from the clinic for a little while to get myself in the right frame of mind.



So we left the clinic and took a drive over to Alkai Beach which is in West Seattle and took in the beautiful views of Puget Sound and downtown. Personally, I thought the most beautiful view was my wife Michelle. Michelle grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and we headed back to the SCCA for my 12 noon appointment for TBI. I was ready now.



I've had TBI before, and I know it is painless, but I was still anxious about it. You are in this darkened room all by yourself with this huge piece of equipment shooting radioactive material at your body while you are immobilized in a standing position for about 45 minutes. The two ladies who administered the TBI and did all my prep work were super nice. They were very precise and careful about preparing me for the TBI, but they did so with such a kind demeanor. Once they had me ready they left the room and closed the door and began the treatment. I faced the machine for the first half of treatment and then faced the wall for the second half of the treatment. While facing the wall I focused on a picture of my family which I had taped to the wall. Looking at my family reminded me of why I needed to be strong as I went through all this treatment. During treatment you are allowed to bring in a CD to help you relax during the treatment. I brought in my Jeremy Camp CD which I've talked about in an earlier journal. Just as the large door closed and the lights went off in the room these lyrics were being sung:

I can't see you,
I know you're here.
I can feel you
I will not fear
I will trust in you
And will not be afraid.

The treatment went smoothly and afterwards Michelle and I went back to the apartment. We had until 6pm to check into the UW Hospital where I would receive my donor cells. Once back at the apartment I had some lunch, packed my things for the hospital, and took a little rest. While at the apartment we got track meet updates that my oldest son CJ had won the mile and was winning the 800 by a mile. Way to go CJ! Thank you Amanda and Kenny for sending me these pictures.





We arrived at the UW Hospital on time and I was pretty quiet. There is a walking tunnel that leads from the underground parking lot to the hospital. Inside the tunnel they play recorded sounds of birds singing. I haven't walked through this tunnel since I left the UW back in 2000 following my first transplant. It was hard to walk through this tunnel because memories of the last transplant were all too clear. However, I knew what I had to do and I prayed for God to clear my mind and bring me peace. Once we were out of the tunnel I was fine.



Once I arrived on the 8th floor the nurse showed us to our room. The room had a beautiful view of Husky Stadium and Lake Washington.



The staff got right to work giving me one more thorough exam, which included another chest x-ray. I was doing great except for some side effects from the radiation. My legs were very achy and I had an excruciating headache. Tylenol didn't help, but eventually a drug called oxycodone did the trick. However, it made me pretty sleepy. I was hooked up to an IV administering fluids to be sure I was adequately hydrated. Needless to say, I made many trips to the bathroom the rest of the night.

At the time of check in the nurses did not know when my marrow cells would arrive. They could arrive soon or it could be in the middle of the night. I had to be ready either way so the cells could be administered to me the moment they arrived. They don't want the cells out of my body any longer than necessary. Before the cells come to me, however, they make one quick stop at the lab to have 10% of the cells drawn off and stored. These cells are stored as a back up just in case I have trouble and they need to give me more cells.

At 9:00pm the cells arrived. As I looked at the cells I was just amazed at what a miracle this is. There is one person in the world that matches me perfectly and they found her. In addition, they were able to remove her cells and transport them all the way across the world to my hospital room at just the right time. So many things had to go right for my transplant to be made possible. I am so thankful for the people that register with the bone marrow donor program and I am also thankful to the thousands of people that are involved in organizing everything to make this happen. It's absolutely incredible.



The cells were given to me through an IV. Pretty much like getting blood. It takes about two hours for all the cells to infuse into my body. I just stared at those cells as they traveled through the IV into my body knowing that they were my hope for a cure. I prayed that those little cells would be able to their job. It was like sending troops off to battle. These cells have to go in and battle my weakened marrow cells (weakened from chemo and TBI), take over my immune system, and seek out and destroy any cancer cells left in my body. I pray they are able to win!

I didn't stay awake during all of my infusion because I was given Benadryl to help reduce an allergic reaction to the cells and Benadryl always knocks me out. The infusion of my cells was completed by about 11:30pm. Michelle wished me a happy birthday as this day represents new life for me.

I was released from the hospital the next day at about 1pm and now I begin the long process of recovery. The first few weeks should go pretty smoothly as we wait for the cells to engraft, which means, they have to find their way into my bone marrow and begin taking over the job of the old cells. Once they engraft the battle really begins and that is when I may not feel so good. The only side effect I really have right now is some fatigue and nausea from all the medications I am taking. Otherwise I am doing great!

I am so grateful for the incredible medical technology available to me and to be given this chance for a cure. Now my job is to recover, avoid infections, and pray for complete healing. Thank you to all the medical staff that worked with me today and in the days leading up to today. You are amazing. Thank you for everyone who is praying for me. I will really need all of your prayers in the days and months ahead.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

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