The First Stem-Cell Transplant (2/22/08)
Today was the momentous day when Momo received his first stem-cell transplant (SCT). Here, they do SCT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but not more than two transplants per patient per week. The stem cells are harvested from umbilical cord blood, purified to eliminate diseased cells, cultured in the lab, added to a nerve growth factor, and delivered in the morning of the scheduled procedure. Each transplant involves a transfer of 10 million fresh stem cells. For Momo, today’s transplant was done intravenously, and the next four transplants will be done via lumber puncture (spinal tap), and the last one again via IV.
Dr. Drew, the chief radiologist, explained us his interpretation of Momo’s MRI during the morning tour. He said that Momo’s brain showed lower blood circulation than normal. Since blood is the sole mechanism for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain, the lack of blood affected oxygen supply and caused nerve death in those areas of the brain that were responsible for vision, hearing, and balance. He was optimistic that SCT will help regrow some of these nerves, though he could not guarantee anything. The SCT was scheduled for 2:30 pm, and we were advised to be there by 2 pm. I had already signed the medical disclosures the previous afternoon.
Momo was a little cranky during the morning therapy. After a light lunch and rest, we headed for the big event. An IV was stuck into his hand, and he was surprisingly less agitated than we had expected. A tranquilizer was administered to calm him down before the stem cells were inserted through IV. The 10 million stem cells mixed with nerve growth factor were only about 100 ml, similar to about half a bag of saline solution. I had expected that to be a lot more. Dr. Mary was there throughout the procedure, as were several nurses, to calm Momo and make sure that he did not pull out the IV. The entire procedure took about 30-40 minutes.
We returned to our room and rested for a while. Momo had a light dinner and went to sleep early. We were advised to watch out for rashes or other allergic reactions. Nothing of that sort happened, but Momo had fever, nausea, and vomiting around 2 am. The nurse on duty came in and Dr. Mary followed, and gave him some Motrin. I don’t think this was due to his dinner, which was taken eight hours ago and should have been digested by this time. However unpleasant this was, I was actually glad that he had a fever, which meant that his body was reacting to the stem cells introduced in the blood stream. The following morning we found that Momo also had an ear infection. What an awful time for an infection! Momo stayed awake for the rest of the night, as did I. But beyond the pain, there were no other complications and the temperature subsided. The nurse checked on him every couple of hours throughout the night and the following day. I’m not sure whether this was because we were high-paying foreign patients, but I’m very impressed with the care and quality of service.
Momo doing physical therapy with James.
Momo on a wheelchair with his Mom.
Momo in good mood after a stem-cell transplant.
2 comments February 23rd, 2008
