Day Zero: A Quick Update
Michael’s initial transplant happened as planned on Wednesday June 25, with a second transplant happening the following day on June 26th. Our youngest son Benjamin had three days of injections in the morning and evening to stimulate production of hematopoietic stem cells within his bone marrow, which were then removed from his blood stream in a six hour process starting the morning of June 25th. They were able to get about 2/3 of the total volume of stem cells they needed on that first day, which meant he needed to donate the second day. After going to the lab to check the quality of the cells, they were transfused into Michael that evening in a process which took just thirty minutes. It felt so quick considering how long it had taken to get those cells!
The process was very rough on Benjamin and I booked the closest hotel to the hospital so that the moment the donation was over we could get him into bed to rest so he could return and do it again the next day. Hilariously, Ben told me the next morning that I had been snoring, loudly. Not typical for me at all. I know it was a pain for him, but I haven’t really slept for most of 2025 so I was pretty joyful about it. Considering I managed to be completely knocked out the night following the riskiest, most intense process Michael has gone through so far is probably a mix of complete exhaustion with so many people praying for success, coupled with knowing if anything happened we were just a three minute drive to Michael’s bedside instead of the approximately ninety minutes it takes to get there from home.
We are in the most critical phase of the transplant, the days and weeks following the process are filled with tests and treatments and lots of round the clock observation to make sure Michael’s body accepts the foreign substance which needs to take root and grow. Today and tomorrow he is undergoing an extreme course of chemotherapy which will suppress what is left of Michael’s immune system so Benjamin’s stem cells can begin to reproduce and rebuild the bone marrow which has been purposely obliterated through radiation and chemotherapy.
I’m still working on an informational post of what a bone marrow transplant entails, but right now we’re simply trying to stay on top of basic biological needs like eating and sleeping and showering so we can focus on going back and forth to Queen Mary Hospital to visit and care for Michael. Everything else is paused for a bit or slotted in when extra energy allows.
Michael is having a difficult time of it, with weakness and fatigue along with awful nausea and suppressed appetite. All things to be expected but still no fun. Last night we found out he tested positive for a bacterial infection which requires everyone who enters his room to wear gloves and refrain from physical contact in addition to putting on protective gowns and masks before entering his presence. We’re all deeply committed to doing whatever we have to do to keep him healthy, but it’s a lot, especially for Michael who sits in isolation 24 hours a day. I keep repeating it’s for a season, not forever, but time is flowing strangely and a day can feel like forever when you are miserable and alone.
As of last night, Benjamin said he was back to feeling 85% normal. He’s still having a bit of bone pain but is taking things slow. He went back to work this morning after a week off to go through the preparation and donation, and he’ll go back in about a month to make sure all his levels are back to normal.
Thank you for the messages and support, the prayers and warm thoughts sent our way. We receive them all and feel such gratitude even if we’re not responding as quickly as they come in. More soon!
