The technical term for stem cell harvesting is apheresis. Apheresis involves separating the blood into its various components, including stem cells, and is accomplished through a device called a blood cell separator. The more one knows about this machine, the more one marvels at what technology can accomplish. The device, which costs about $200,000 (hmmm, wonder if that's the wholesale or retail price...), uses a centrifuge that isolates the various types of blood cells by weight and size. It utilizes an optic scanner and literally skims the stem cells off the top layer of blood in the reservoir, sending it to a bag attached outside the machine. The stem cells in the bag are then infused with a preservative and sent to huge vaults here at Mayo, where they are deep frozen at approximately minus 312 degrees Fahrenheit until they are thawed for use on the actual day of transplant. The other blood components flow through the machine and back into the patient, so only a small percentage leaves the body during collection. Each collection day, John was hooked up to the machine for about five hours, so we were both thrilled that the harvesting went smoothly and ahead of schedule. Though not painful, it was a grueling few days and John is glad it's over.
The nursing staff here is so expert and so compassionate - they make even the most challenging procedures so much more bearable. These total strangers become friends after a few hours, and almost every one will say to us upon leaving any given procedure, "John, Bennie, please come back when you are through with the transplant and let us know how you are." And you know what? They actually mean it.
Next week is a huge week for us, as John begins the next phase in the stem cell transplant process. It's called "conditioning" and will entail mega doses of chemotherapy. More on that phase soon, but for now we are celebrating his success of the last few days. We embrace these daily victories, no matter how big or small - they remind us that each day is special.
