A Personal Account of Stem Cell Donation
Peripheral stem cell transplantation is the process of removing stem cells from a person and donates it to a recipient in my case it was my brother. In most cases, donors are brothers and sisters, as HLA type is identical to the patient. After that I was the perfect choice for my brother, I had an endless physical and blood work. I have my own tests and then went onto the stage.
This meant six days after receiving Neupogen shots, the release of stem cells from bone marrow in my blood, so that they can be harvested for my brother. It is important during this period too much to drink. I had decided to go to the hospital every day for the shootings, but some people choose to inject itself at home. The images a bit piercing and after the first few days, mild pain began mostly bone and sternum in my lap. There was nothing that an occasional tylenol could not resolve.
On the fifth day, I reported to the hospital first thing in the morning and was ready for the apheresis or harvesting of my stem cells. I was associated with a centrifuge machine: a line that the blood from one arm into the machine where the blood was separated and the stem cells were in a bag. My blood, minus the stem cells back to me in another arm. During the procedure, an anticoagulant went through my system, the blood clotting and calcium also. Apart from the inconvenience you in bed and not in a position to meet for 6 or 7 hours, it was not painful or uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, the first crop not collect enough stem cells for my brother: That is determined by the weight of the patient, so I returned to the hospital the next morning to repeat the process. I was worried about the side effects of Neupogen, as well as apheresis, but the effect was only a few days of fatigue.
My advice to anyone who is thinking about a peripheral stem cell procedure is to learn as much as possible in advance. Ask questions of the doctors and nurses who care for your beloved, the cooperation with you. The procedure is much less painful than bone marrow aspiration. Most of us are choosy when it comes to the issue of blood, but the more you understand what is going on, the less nervous you are.
