We arrived at Albany Medical Center and Ed was brought in by wheel chair to the New York Oncology Hematology Center to start his apheresis (Greek for separation). Dr. Shapiro quickly evaluated his swollen ankle and the diagnosis was gout. This painful form of arthritis is caused by high forms of uric acid that form crystals in the blood which causes the pain and inflammation. Two more medications to add to his huge list of drugs. (I am taking out more stock in Pfizer Pharmaceuticals)
Our new best friend Alex is the blood collection specialist who is from the White Plains area and travels a 100 mile radius depending upon which facility requires his attention. Alex is fantastic and explains the procedure every step of the way while he hooks up Ed and monitors his progress. Alex hooked Ed up to the apheresis centrifuge collection machine which separates the blood components (red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma). The goal is to extract 10 to 20 million blood cells during each extraction. This process usually lasts 2 to 4 extraction treatments. The stem cells are processed and sent to New York City where they will be stored until Ed needs them. After they wipe out his white Blood cells and his immune system is down, they will reintroduce some of his own stem cells. He will have stem cells stored at the NYC facility indefinitely in case he needs more of them in the future. We are told that after the entire 5 week process is over - they have to re-inoculate Ed with all the childhood disease shots (MMR, Tetanus, Chicken Pox, Polio, etc.). Again we are hooked up to full technology with access to the Internet and Blackberry during our hospital visits. Ed will blog. later, when he has more energy. Right now things are going well, and his ankle is becoming less swollen. Ed will stay in the car while I run into the pharmacy and grocery store on the way home. No need to call Social Services - I promise to crack his windows down for some fresh air.
Our new best friend Alex is the blood collection specialist who is from the White Plains area and travels a 100 mile radius depending upon which facility requires his attention. Alex is fantastic and explains the procedure every step of the way while he hooks up Ed and monitors his progress. Alex hooked Ed up to the apheresis centrifuge collection machine which separates the blood components (red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma). The goal is to extract 10 to 20 million blood cells during each extraction. This process usually lasts 2 to 4 extraction treatments. The stem cells are processed and sent to New York City where they will be stored until Ed needs them. After they wipe out his white Blood cells and his immune system is down, they will reintroduce some of his own stem cells. He will have stem cells stored at the NYC facility indefinitely in case he needs more of them in the future. We are told that after the entire 5 week process is over - they have to re-inoculate Ed with all the childhood disease shots (MMR, Tetanus, Chicken Pox, Polio, etc.). Again we are hooked up to full technology with access to the Internet and Blackberry during our hospital visits. Ed will blog. later, when he has more energy. Right now things are going well, and his ankle is becoming less swollen. Ed will stay in the car while I run into the pharmacy and grocery store on the way home. No need to call Social Services - I promise to crack his windows down for some fresh air.
WOW. this is really fascinating. thank you for educating all of us and for your great sense of humor!
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