The schedule

My treatment dates are final ! The treatment is split in two parts – once in October and once in December 2018. This is because the doctor is out of the country in November. I am so excited for this next phase of life that I can hardly wait for it to start.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Labs Drawn

Chest X-Ray/EKG (Please be sure to CHEST X-RAY and EKG performed!)

Pulmonary Function Test – I guess I have to breathe into a tube to check my lung capacity

2D Echo

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Vein Check – No clue what this will entail

Meet with Dr. Richard Burt

(I first heard about the doctor on BBC. Usually I think of people on TV as living in another universe and generally out of reach. But I met this doctor, and got accepted into his clinical trial. I still cannot believe that this happened, so I have a justified fan girl fascination in meeting him again 😛 Surely any MS patient shares my feelings)

EDSS test 2:30 p.m. by one of Dr. Burt’s nurses, please check in at 14^th floor- Galter Pavilion Medical Specialties

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Mobilization !! – This is the step where I get to enjoy some daily injections for 10 days which are supposed to entice the stem cells to enter the blood stream from the bone marrow. I can handle 10 more needles in life 🙂

Friday, October 26, 2018

Temp Cath Placement 

This is the line placed into a vein in my neck to collect stem cells. I am OK with needles BUT the idea of a needle in my neck is giving me nightmares aaaahhhh. But this too shall pass I suppose.

HARVEST of Stem Cells !

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END OF 1st SECTION OF TREATMENT

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Thursday, December 6, 2018

Triple Lumen PICC Placement

Friday, December 7, 2018

Admit to hospital

Days -5 to -1 – Chemotherapy days. Wiping out the immune system to create way for stem cells and then a brand new immune system

Day 0: DEC 12 2018 – STEM CELL TRANSPLANT DAY (STEM CELL BIRTHDAY)

Day +1 to +8 – Neutropenia 

Neutropenia is when the White Blood Cells count is still too low and I am being monitored continuously for potential infections. Much like a newborn infant.

Day +8 – Day +10 – Potential discharge based on my WBC count. I believe this will be checked everyday and once I am deemed fit to enter the world again I will be let go and I get to fly coach back home.