My Stem Cell Transplant
My Stem Cell Transplant
The
Process is set to start December 1st
Click Here for the tentative Schedule
As I told you in
a previous bulletin article, there was a good chance I would need a stem
cell transplant. I have met with the transplant people at Mayo Clinic in
Rochester. My doctor here and the transplant team in Rochester concur that
a transplant could be very helpful, and that it should be done as soon as
possible, since the Multiple Myeloma is now in remission. I realize that
red flags are raised with the words “stem cell transplant,” since the Church
has spoken out on stem cell research. Take a look at the next bulletin
article for a further explanation. The stem cells I will receive will come
from my own blood, not from fetal stem cells. Human life will not be taken
for my transplant. That is if I survive! (-:
The process will
take 4-6 weeks and will begin with a “pleasant” bone marrow biopsy and a
battery of tests from 1-4 December. I’ll receive growth factor injections
from 4-7 December to increase the number of stem cells in the blood.
Beginning on 8 December, I’ll spend five hours a day attached to a machine
that will remove my blood and extract stem cells. They will be frozen for
the transplant. This process can take several days up to two weeks. Two
days before the transplant I will be given a massive dose of chemotherapy
that will kill all the stem cells in my bone marrow. This process will
“prepare the field” for the growth of healthy stem cells. These cells will
be put back in my body and will hopefully begin to produce healthy stem
cells. The process doesn’t sound pleasant, and will likely be some
uncomfortable days. Much of the discomfort will come from the chemotherapy
and from the preservative used in freezing the stem cells taken from my
body. I’ll wear a face mask in public and meet with the transplant team
daily in the days and weeks following the transplant. When resistance has
returned and I feel better I’ll be able to return home. I’ll need to be in
Rochester for much of this time. It is likely that I’ll stay at the Gift of
Life Transplant House on 2nd Street Southwest in Rochester, just
a few blocks from Mayo Clinic.
Stem Cell Research and the Church
My (Fr. Pat’s)
upcoming stem cell transplant is a great opportunity for us to take a look
at what the Church says about stem cell research. Several parishioners have
seen as a contradiction the fact that the Church opposes stem cell research
(in their mind) and at the same time a priest is planning to have a stem
cell transplant. The fact is, the Church does not oppose stem cell
research when it does not involve destroying life (human embryos).
The following is taken from the Wisconsin Bishops Letter on Stem Cell
research: “The Church supports stem cell research whenever it does not
involve destroying human embryos. Adult stem cells found, for example, in
the amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, and skin cells can be
extracted without harming the donor, and they have already helped thousands
of individuals suffering from serious ailments. The Church applauds the
recent breakthrough in reprogramming adult skin cells to act like embryonic
stem cells. All of these advancements demonstrate that the highest ethical
standards can and must guide scientific progress.” As you know, the
stem cells used in my transplant will come from my own blood, not a donor or
from fetal stem cells that involve destroying human embryos. I hope
that’s helpful. Keep me in your prayers and know you’re remembered in mine
as well!
I’ll have companions during the Transplant
During much of
the transplant process I’ll need a companion 24 hours a day. Companions are
now scheduled for the entire stay. There are back-up companions too,
in case of emergency or in case a companion catches a cold. They’ll be able
to stay with my, in my room at the Transplant House. They’ll be another set
of ears during the daily doctor appointments. They may help organize
medications and help keep track of what should be taken when. Actually, I’m
very good at that myself! Though many patients initially feel well enough to
do simple household tasks for themselves, often the rigor of medical
appointments tires patients tremendously. This caregiver, typically a family
member or close friend, handles the meal preparation and clean up, laundry,
room cleaning, and other patient needs. In addition, the caregiver serves as
an invaluable emotional support. And that has proven exceptionally
beneficial for transplant patients! There are three kitchens and four
dining rooms (with labeled refrigerator and freezer space for each guest),
five day rooms with TV, VCR’s and more, computers with free internet
access, a coin laundry and more. If you’d be willing to help, call Al
Schelfhout (who maintains a schedule) at 781-4870. There’s a video that
includes the role of the companion here:
http://www.gift-of-life.org/video.asp Keep me in your prayers and know
you’re remembered in mine as well.
The Transplant House
I'll be staying at the Gift-of-Life
Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota, and making daily trips to May
Clinic using the free transportation to and from the house. I will
have internet access and will be using my cellular phone during my time in
Rochester. Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors under
the age of 17 are not allowed, due to fact that residents of the house have
severely compromised immune systems and those 17 and under tend to carry
more germs due to school contacts. The Address of the Transplant House is:
Telephone:
507-288-7470
Fax: 507-281-9888
Mailing address: 705 Second Street, SW
Rochester, MN 55902
U.S.A.
I'll be able to receive e-mail at:
frpat@frpat.com
During my Absence
Priests of the
Diocese will pitch in to help out during my time in Rochester. Father Jude
Weisenbeck and Monsignor Bernard McGarty will help out regularly with
weekend Confessions and Masses. Other priests may help with some week day
Masses. Deacon Frank will provide Liturgy of the Word and Communion on a
more frequent basis as well. Other priests will help with emergencies and
with Funerals. Monsignor McGarty, Father Jude, Fr. Hirsch, Monsignor Gilles
and other priests will help with First Confessions, Advent Confessions for
all our kids and adults. Fr. Schaller will help with some of the All-School
Masses. Deacon Frank will help coordinate this schedule. I appreciate his
constant generosity and know you’ll provide great support for him during
this time. I’ll be a local (cell) phone call or e-mail away.
The Schedule
(Mayo Clinic every day)
Outpatient:
Monday, 01 December: Bone marrow biopsy
at 7:45 a.m. with last appointment at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 02 December: Appointments all day with last appointment at
6:15 p.m.
Wednesday: Appointments all day with last appointment at 3 p.m. or so.
Thursday, information overload day with
last appointment about 5 p.m., first growth factor injection
Friday, finished by 4 or 4 p.m., second
growth factor injection
Saturday: go to Mayo for port (vein
catheter) maintenance and growth factor injection
Sunday, fourth growth factor injection
and blood test
Monday, 08 December: if all is well,
hooked up to machine for five hours to remove stem cells
Tuesday, 09 December: same as above
Wednesday, 10 December: same as above
until enough stem cells are obtained for two transplants. Cells are
frozen.
Friday, 12 December, if all is well,
massive chemo dose
Transplant House
Monday, 15 December, if all is well, stem
cell transplant begins. I move into the Transplant House at Mayo for
3-4 weeks. I'll have a 24-hour-a-day companion and will have daily doctor
and transplant team appointments at Mayo. I'll have no resistance to
infection during much of this time, and will receive medication to prevent
pneumonia and other infections. I'll return home when stem cells have
multiplied enough and when I have resistance to infection. Then I'll need to
be re-vaccinated for all diseases, since all resistance will have been wiped
out by the chemo and destruction of bone marrow stem cells. If all goes
well, I should be ready to return home by early to mid-January 2009.
