The Final Exam-First Part

Posted on Updated on by veenakuttyCategories:Uncategorized

So  this week was the final exam. We would see if all the work I put in the past 2 weeks (chemotherapy and GCSF injections) would culminate in a successful harvesting of stem cells. To pass the test I had to collect 5 million stem cells. 
So I was connected to an apharesis machine! And the test began!

The apharesis machine pulls blood 🩸 from my veins through one tube , centrifuges it, keeps the stem cell layer in a bag, and then sends the rest of the blood to my body through the other tube! It’s a very complicated machine…


The machine uses citrate so your blood doesn’t clog up but this can make you hypocalcemic (have low calcium). When you have this, you can feel numbness, tingling, funny feeling around your mouth- BUT they give you calcium during this time…so I didn’t feel weird!

After 4 hours I got to go home and wait for my results!  🤔

The results came back: I COLLECTED 24 MILLION STEM CELLS!

Woohoo 🥳 No wonder I had all that bone Pain, my bone marrow was working so hard to make stem cells

Now the final exam was done and I could get rid of my catheter. Three weeks of this annoying thing…

But once it was removed, I felt bad. Hehe he does look cute 🥰 I mean he did go into my heart (literally). 🫀

I named him Mister Catheter and threw him far far away! 👋

So now the first part is done and I come back for more at the end of January! 
But this was a good way to end 2020 
Happy New Years!! ⛄️

veenakutty

11 thoughts on “The Final Exam-First Part”

      1. Parvathy, I am so proud of you. This is going to be a fantastic Newyear with ,lots of wonderful results of life. You are the most positive effect in my life. You make life so beautiful. You give me the courage to face anything. Your positive attitude give everyone such boost in everything they do. Let the stem cells do their magic on you. Have happy New year Parvathy. Sooo looking forward to see you this coming summer. Love you very much.

        1. Thanks so much Kumari Aunty!! Can’t wait to see you! Until then Asha and me will FaceTime
          , as usual.

  3. Great to hear this dear! Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year Veena! Love and miss you!

  4. Happy to hear the good results, any way we all are with you with lots of prayers and God will bless this journey very easy . Happy New Year ahead Veena kutty

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