Handcuffed To The Ocean

With BMTs the doctors and staff count the day you receive the BMT as day zero. Then each day after day zero increases by one. So today is day 6.  Not a whole lot to report however I have a hunch that my temperature is starting to rise. This is normal as my immune system approaches zero. Your immune system is measured by the amount of white blood cells in your body. To be more specific, there are several types of white bloods. Kind of like bees in a hive, there worker bees, drones, and queen bees. The white blood cells that actually fight infection are called neutrophils.

The normal neutrophil count is 1.7 thousand per CC to 7.00 thousand per CC.  The blast of chemo given right before the transplant is designed to bring the neutrophil down to zero. Right now mine is at 0.15. I expect they’ll all be gone within another day or so.

One of things they do to you is put in what is called a trifusion CVL line. That is line that goes into your chest and dumps into your Vena Cava, the large vein that dumps directly in your heart. I’ve had a few issues with mine. Usually only two of the three lines work. At the beginning it leaked some and now there is some pain around it, even though it has been in there over a month.

CVL in the left chest

The nurse just came in and said they’re taking me down for an ultrasound to make sure there is no blood clot in it. This is at 10:04 pm. I’m including one photo of the CVL. I hope it doesn’t  gross you out. The whole thing creeps me out.

4 Responses to “Bone Marrow Transplant Day 6”

1. Barbara Says:
   June 22nd, 2012 at 1:23 am

   Hang in there Steve. Thanks for keeping us up to date with all you are going through and no it does not creep us out. Does look painful though. Is there any problems with infections with the CLV? What do they do if there is a blood clot in a CLV? Do you have to have anymore Chemo ? Is bringing the neutrophilhe to 0 to help prevent rejection of the transplant? Hope you don’t mind the questions. I just would like to understand the procedure a little better.
   Prayers for a restful night and an all clear on the ultrasound.

2. tobias Says:
   June 22nd, 2012 at 12:08 pm

   What day do they put in the new stem cells? Is it after they have gotten rid of all the white blood cells? It doesnt creep me out..i have had ivs in my neck and once in my scalp…is this where the Chemo is applied? I wondered if it was a chemo burn? jmo

3. looking for justice Says:
   June 22nd, 2012 at 12:10 pm

   Thank you for the updates. I cant wait til you say I am now in the clear. Praying for always.jmo

4. nurselady Says:
   June 26th, 2012 at 12:10 am

   Hope you are feeling better!! Keeping you in my prayers…Nurse

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