Day 0 - part 2 (Post Transplant)

(As Max and Bee rest from what has been a massive day, Tim once again picks up the story)

At approximately 2:15 pm today Max began receiving his 'bone marrow' transplant of donated blood stem cells. Ever since Max was diagnosed with WAS two years ago we have known that he would require a Bone Marrow Transplant to cure his condition. A ‘Bone Marrow Transplant’ sure sounded scary and the more we learnt about it, well, the scarier the idea became. We also learnt that the transplant itself is probably the simplest part in the whole Bone Marrow Transplant treatment process. There’s no actual surgery, like say in an organ transplant. It’s basically just a blood transfusion, but instead of receiving red blood cells or platelets, you’re receiving blood stem cells. All that said, it was an extremely emotional and surreal experience for us today watching the donor blood cells make their way slowly down a line from a small 115 ml bag attached to Max’s drip stand, towards Mr Hose and then finally into Max. 

By about 3:15 pm the transplant was complete. Max, obviously not realising the significance of the event, decided to sleep through it. He spent the rest of the day being closely monitored by nurses for changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and as side effects of the transplant, excreting a lovely port colored urine (due to passing of an additive in the donated blood stem cells) and emitting a feint oyster like smell (due to preservative in the donated blood stem cells) . He maintained his grumpy demeanour of the past few days but a quick visit from Mawa (my mum) raised his spirits. 

After thinking that we had kicked his backside troubles, a number of sizeable blisters have decided to pitch camp in the area. According to Max's main Doc, we will have to pay very close attention to these in the coming days. The Doc also observed that his welts, a side effect of the ATG and, which cover about half his body, are of a standard worthy of being photographed for posterity. Fortunately, the welts do not cause Max any discomfort and they should subside in the coming days. 

With the milestone of the transplant past, it's on to the next, most critical, stage of Max's treatment: Engraftment. We will endeavour to keep you informed of Max's progress.

Some more thanks are in order:

- To Mum for the meal tonight (the envy of others in the parent's dining room) and to Mum and Dad for the lovely gifts

- To Lou, Jordan and (not so much a baby anymore) Baby Jack for the very, very well selected gifts and food

- To Sandra and Peter for the gift and card. Max is a massive fan of both letters and numbers so it will be well appreciated

- To All for your lovely prayers, messages, cards, letters and thoughts. Your support is very important to Max, Bee and myself..

And finally I have a job appointment to announce: MC Finch has been appointed as Officer in Charge of Home and Garden Maintenance (Box Hill South) effective immediately. 

Cheers,

Tim