A Restful Night? Not Quite.

Sadly going inn to such a big day, I didn’t get the sleep I’d hoped for – more persistent bladder emptying thanks to all the fluids!

Woke around 8:30 am, to a torrent of messages I hadn’t kept up with from the previous day. Awww, it was so nice.

So much support and positivity from friends and family – from all those miles away, they were letting me know I was being thought of. What a way to start the day.

---

Why I Set Up Let’sGetRid

The whole reason I set up my Let’sGetRid blog was to show people how to do this – without fear.

To help with what to expect in the lead-up to treatment, because unfortunately I was finding that  stick a camera in front of someone, and suddenly everything was very dramatic, making everyone uneasy, especially those hoping to have the treatment.

So hopefully reading this blog? No dramas!
Please trust in my commentary – no dramatic soundbites here!

---

The Messages That Got Me

But you know what really set me off?

It was the new well-wishers – those just starting to follow me, about to embark on their own journeys or their own closely interested loved ones too.

My little blog was working!!

People were telling me their fears had completely gone – that seeing my experience, my smiling face, had shown them there really was nothing to fear.

It was their flood of messages that really did me in. With all that was going on today, feeling emotional anyway I was getting increasingly tearier with each one.

From those I’d already gotten to know to those who have never posted before, but wanted to reach out that morning and say so.

Then I opened my Day Zero card from Jen… And that was it – I was a flood of tears.

She’d written the most beautiful message. I could barely speak to her on the phone moments later.

No editorial photos taken here – “I’ve got an image to uphold too!!” 😉

---

Blood Pressure Says It All

By this point, it was close to 11 am, and my important 1 pm appointment was approaching.

I made myself comfortable, and then Dr. Fedorenko came in, took my blood pressure, and asked how I was doing. For the first time, my blood pressure was higher than normal. All those messages must have really hit something.

I didn’t tell him how soppy I’d just been – “I’m not crying, you’re crying!”

Then, in walks a nurse and hooks me up to a monitor. My BPM was pushing 120, which wasn’t like me at all. So, time for the comical techniques I’ve talked about before.

In through the nose… out with a ‘Whooosaaaaaah’… Back down to a steady 65 BPM in no time.

---

The Big Moment – Stem Cell Transplant

Had my camera set up in the corner of the room to record the process…

Unfortunately for my camera, I was one of four transplants that day.

My camera – set at maximum settings – managed 30 minutes of prep nursing, then died long before the actual procedure. Shame.

Despite that, I just lay there incredibly relaxed, patiently waiting my turn.

---

Rattle, Clack, Rumble…

In arrives the entourage –

• Dr. Fedorenko
• His right-hand man, Dr. Nikolai
• A nurse
• Anastasia

More positive Q&A, telling me what to expect, reminding me to report any sensations as they happen, so he could cross-check the ECG live scoreboard.

Then, I was shown my bag of returning stem cells – box fresh, dripping with icy air.

Like the Ambassador at his reception, I give a little nod to proceed. 😉

---

The Transplant Itself

Fortunately, just the one bag – for the one day of collection. More than one day requires more bags to thaw.

My cells were thawed out, syringed into three large vials, then hooked onto my chest catheter, long placed there from the chemotherapy.

Dr. F places his hand on my arm and talks me through the side effects I may experience over the next few minutes.

And we begin.

---

The Play-by-Play

Dr. F asks me to commentate as I feel things, so he can cross-check with his scoreboard.

• Right side of my face suddenly feels flushed.
  Not a problem, just my heart rate adjusting to new fluid and temperature of them as they go in. It passes within seconds.
• My throat gets incredibly dry – like an irritable piece of plastic is stuck there.
  Not pleasant, but dissipates just as fast as it came.
• I suddenly get the famous taste of HSCT tomatoes.
  Can’t remember his reply, but I do remember thinking… actually, quite nice!
• Any chest pressure or crushing?
  Nope – nothing at all!

Less than 10 minutes, and it’s all over. Dr. F proudly shows me the now-empty bag.

Through my oxygen mask, I probably pulled some big silly smile, then just thanked them all.

I commented on just how easy that procedure really was. I felt totally at ease the whole way through – even enjoyed the relaxing nature of it all.

And, of course, the knowing that… This just might be the end of a very long, very dark road.

---

A Moment of Reflection

Relief washed over me. No recreational drugs necessary (other than the saline drip I was hooked up to).

I just lay there, feeling content – a beautiful moment to myself, reflecting on our near future. All the things Jen and I have been missing for the last eight years.

---

The First Thumbs-Up

Picked up my phone and sent a thumbs-up picture.

Anastasia had expertly taken photos on my phone during the treatment – good thing too, since my primed camera had died prematurely.

I let that send, then immediately called Jen. “All done!!”

We switched to FaceTime to talk about how it went and how comfortable it all was.

Difficult to recall exactly what we spoke about, but no doubt, it was filled with positive things – and how much we couldn’t wait to see each other again.

---

A New Man Born

After hanging up, I think I just laid there contently, enjoying ten more minutes to myself.

…Oh, and then, of course, the obligatory Facebook announcement.

“New man born.”

---

Time to Party!!

Time passes quickly – and suddenly, it’s time to celebrate!

I get dressed and move myself to the sofa area in the hall, where others are waiting – including my fellow stem-cell quadruplets.

Dr. Fedorenko begins his beautiful fluid-pouring ceremony – the fluid used in the freezing process is poured out onto the floor in a display watching it evaporate as it hits the floor.

Simple – but it’s really beautiful.

He speaks words of meaning and kindness, and we are all given our Iris Pins – the Doctor’s little badge of honour, symbolising the flower of new life.

Then comes his famous big smile and hug.

---

A True Hero

I don’t have many heroes in life. But this one – an understated man with a heart of gold – has to be mine. I hope to be able to repay him one day – to show him what he has done for me and my (future) family very soon.

He gives everyone a big wave, wishes us a pleasant evening, and then heads off.

---

A Surprise Recognition

There were some new faces in the group today, so I went over to say hello.

I met Vanessa and Tonia from Australia – they congratulated me on my Day Zero, and we got chatting about who we are and how we got here.

Then came: “Ahh, you’re Alex from the Blog – we’ve been told we should meet you!”

How lovely and amazing. Not for glory – but just the knowing that I’m helping someone, somewhere.

---

Calling It a Night

We all retire to our rooms – of course, I was feeling a little bushed, and probably had one or two messages waiting for me. …Something like that, anyway. 😉

What a day!!!

WHAT. A. DAY!!

So much to reflect on, so much to soak up. I put my head down for a couple of hours – I don’t think I’ve done that enough really, but I’ve earned this one.

A few final calls, a few notes about my next blog post… And then, instead, I decide to just retire and wallow in the warmth of a new immune system building.

---

Today Has Been Incredible.

Never to be forgotten!