MY FIRST HARVEST was pretty productive, with in the neighborhood of 5.6 million stem cells collected. You need a minimum of 3 million for a single transplant procedure, so that’s not bad.

But the docs need me to bank enough for two procedures — one for now and another for later. That leaves me 400,000 short of the 6 million cell minimum target, so I’m back at the clinic this morning for a second and final round of collection. Based on my good performance yesterday, this particular goal should be in the bag.

Transplant patients typically need between two and four collection visits to accumulate the desired quantity of  stem cells. I’m likely to exceed the goal amount by the end of today.

A Mere Bag o’ Cells

So why is is so important to keep the extra quantity on ice? It’s like insurance, since it’s not unusual for Myeloma patients to have more than one stem cell procedure in a lifetime.

Recurrence of the disease is expected eventually, and collection may become more difficult after several years. Keeping a good set of cells in the vault offers some strategic treatment choices down the road. You may never use them, but the Red Cross preserves them for you in a liquid nitrogen freezer for a decade as part of their outstanding service.

Update: In the Bag

Within hours of my return home this afternoon I received a call from team nurse C., who informed me that today’s take was another 5 million cells, for a total yield of 10 million-plus. That’s considered more than sufficient quantity, enough to return more than the minimum amount to me next week.

This good result means that after today I’ll have a few days off from treatment — a chance to attend to some work priorities and enjoy the weekend with Val prior to checking in to the transplant center on Monday morning.

NEXT: Boarding the Coaster

© James Tenser, 2014