Preparing for the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant!
Updated: Jul 27, 2020
Adriana's Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) has been scheduled for July 27th, 2020! This is huge news, being that the first potential treatment date in April had been post-poned due the her GAVE Syndrome diagnosis. Then the treatment plan was postponed again due to Covid-19. Adriana was fortunate to have her treatment re-scheduled so soon. The process leading up to the big day is extensive.
What Has Been Accomplished Thus Far?
Blood & Lab work. July 6th, Adriana had extensive blood evaluations to ensure her system was strong for treatments.
Radiotherapy Molds. July 8th, Adriana had measurements taken of her lungs and kidneys for custom molds to protect her organs during the radiation therapy.
Radiation Tattoos. July 8th, Special markings were tattooed onto Adriana's chest and back. The tattoo markings are permanent but will only have the appearance of a dark freckle. This helps the technician line up the radiation treatment fields where they are specifically intended. This is to maximize the dose of radiation to the area that needs to be treated and to avoid or minimize the dose to the normal surrounding tissues.
Follow-up Day. July 9 was an extensive day, consulting with doctors and undergoing follow-up testing. Adriana had a Pulmonary Function Test to ensure her lungs were healthy. She also met with her Rheumatologist Dr. Shah. Adriana also had follow-up ECHO and EKG of her heart as well as CT imaging.
Neuprogen Injections. July 11, Adriana received her first Neuprogen shot. And over the course of the next four days, she'll receive 4 more shots. Neuprogen shots effect the bone marrow to increase the body's white blood cells, which are the body's infection-fighting cells.
Covid-19 Testing. July 12th Adriana was tested for the Corona Virus to rule out infection prior to the treatment. Chemotherapy treatments will completely deplete Adriana's immune system. So if she had any existing infection, stem cell treatments would not proceed.
Collection port insertion. July 14th, Adriana had a catheter/collection port inserted into her subclavian vessel, near her collar bone. This will be used to draw blood and collect stem cells. A central line like this is used instead of a standard IV line when treatment will continue for longer than a week.
Stem Cell Collection. July 15th. Adriana's stem cells were collected, harvested, stored. The process took over 6 hours! Next, Adriana will undergo 1 week of Chemotherapy and radiation. This is necessary to deplete Adriana's over-active immune system.
Radiation Therapy. July 22nd. Adriana was admitted into the hospital as in-patient for 2 weeks. Today she went through 2 rounds. Pictured below are the organ molds of Adriana's lungs and kidneys.
Adriana also started the ATG Infusion Treatment (Anti-thymocyte globulin is an infusion of horse or rabbit-derived antibodies against human T cells, which is used in the prevention and treatment of acute rejection in organ transplantation and therapy of aplastic anemia). Infusion will last 16 hrs total.
"The dry-run for radiation was very overwhelming. I met with the team to set me up and measured for where to place the molds against my chest and back. The whole dry-run lasted approximately 2 hrs. At the very end, I fainted twice. My blood pressure dropped drastically. My sugar level was only 44. The doctor stated it was a combination of me having a low blood pressure, not drinking enough fluids that day, and sitting in a certain position for too long. Despite me fainting, today was a success! I completed two rounds of radiation with two more to go. I started my ATG Infusion and will last until 2 A.M. Chemotherapy starts tomorrow. One day closer to my HSCT."
- Adriana
Continuation of Radiation Therapy. July 23rd. She received 2 additional rounds today, completing four rounds of radiation in total.
Chemotherapy. July 24-25th. Adriana underwent 2 rounds of chemotherapy.
"Hello 🌎 I made it through radiation and chemo 🙌🏼 I will still continue with the ATG treatments until I am discharged. Doc said I handled the treatment pretty well, and believes I will be discharged on my target date, 8/2/2020. That’s of course, if nothing goes wrong. I will then be considered outpatient, and will either need to go to clinics ever day, or a nurse come and visit me at my temp home in Hillsborough, N.C for 30 - 60 days depending how my body recovers.... Stay tuned
Tomorrow is a big day for me 🦋 STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION DAY 🙌🏼 Second chance @ LIFE ❤️" - Adriana
What's Next?
Stem Cell Transplantation starts July 27th. The stored stem cells will be reintroduced into Adriana's body. Her new stem cells will migrate to her bone marrow and in time will reconstitute her immune system. This point in the process is often termed the Re-birthday, because those who have undergone a stem cell transplant are "Reborn" and have been given a second chance at life!
Glad you're doing well Adriana!! Wishing you success with treatments!