Immediately after I completed induction, which were the first six months of chemotherapy documented in Season One, I began the transplant process. After a bone marrow biopsy was performed (see video) to determine that I was indeed in remission my transplant coordinator began searching for a perfect match in hopes of finding a donor.
By way of Be the Match, we found a 10 out of 10 match who agreed to donate his bone marrow in order to save my life. Currently I do not know who this mystery human is. All I’ve been told is that my donor is European, male, and is 30 years old. Due to him living in a different country, the wait of meeting him as been prolonged for two years. And that is, if he agrees to meet with me.
On March 1st, 2019, my mother and I moved to Charleston, South Carolina to begin the bone marrow transplant process. When we began meeting with my team of doctors, I was told to expect staying inpatient for at least 30 days. This information was overwhelming as I detest staying in the hospital for extended periods of time. Upon arriving at the hospital I was immediately taken back for my first procedure. Receiving my central line. The next two days I received high doses of Cytoxan a chemotherapy drug. After chemotherapy was completed I received three days of Total Body Irradiation. The first round was administered in the early morning. Generally around 7 a.m. and the second round was administered around 1 p.m. By the end of the first day I had began feeling the results of the radiation. My speech began to slur and it was hard to stay focused.
March 7th, 2019, was day zero, in other terms transplant day. A lot of people have a great fear regarding transplant. I certainly did; however, this experience is anticlimactic and for most, like myself, can be chalked up to a glorified blood transfusion. That said, it was pretty awesome seeing science at work, watching the donor cells march their way into my body.
In the upcoming months I will be making videos breaking down chemotherapy, radiation, and transplant so feel free to ask questions so that I can answer them all independently in separate videos.
Music Craves – By My Side http://bit.ly/1WC5aA1
Diagnosis: The Series 