What is a SCT? Phase II - Collection

PHASE I - Click here for a reminder on what happens during the first phase.

Phase II - 

So here we are in the collection phase....

On Monday, March 3, we'll head to the Main Campus for collection of the Stem Cells...or "Apheresis".  

Collection may take up to 6 hours the first day.  

Blood cells are made up of White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, and Platelets.  Stem cells are essentially 'immature cells' that develop into those three type cells of cells.  (And if you think for one minute I have memorized this information, you are crazy!  I'm basically typing out ALL my notes!  Please...I have a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an emphasis in English.  I have no idea what I'm talking about!)  This is so interesting...."stem cells are constantly dividing and changing into different types of blood cells to replace older blood cells."

Apheresis means 'to separate' and an apheresis machine will be used to separate the stem cells from the other blood components.  The stem cells are sent...to a bag...and the remaining blood is returned to Andy.  MOST of the remaining blood.  A small amount of red blood cells and platelets are removed during the collection and so Andy's blood counts will be monitored closely and he may require blood or platelet transfusions prior to going home for the day. (Note to self...don't freak out when the say Andy needs a blood transfusion prior to going home for the day!)

Andy's stem cells will be sent to the lab where they will be counted...I'm sure, individually, one by one.  They will be tested. And cryopreserved....they will be frozen.  I like to imagine a Ziploc bag of Andy's stem cells being tossed into the cafeteria freezer, next to someone's freezer burned microwave lunch they forgot about!

We will actually aim to collect enough cells for 2 transplants; our doctor will determine if we need to come back and how many times we need to come back (we are scheduled for 3 days - all outpatient).  While we don't plan on doing 2 transplants...if we are going through the process of one, we may as well collect enough for 2.  

The next days, if needed, the procedure will take less time - maybe 4 hours.  Each night we'll do a Neupogen injection, in case we need to come back the following day.  

But, God-willing, we'll collect what we need in 2 days.  

Then, on March 10, we'll head BACK to main campus for a 'consent conference' with our surgeon, Dr. A.  We will review the results of the collection and the testing and sign all the forms.  

Next up....Phase III - Transplant.