Stem cell donation

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-GZ-

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Oct 8, 2010
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Well fellas. Just felt like venting. I don't do social media...I do Boomboxery.

So just over a year ago my pops was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Its an aggressive son of a bitch.
Through some sort of miracle we were able to get him into the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL. Holy shite. If any of you or anyone you know have to fight the bastard, I hope you find your way there. CTCA is absolutely amazing.

So after a year of chemo and a whole bunch of shite I won't get into, he was finally cancer free. Undetectable at least. But like I said...its a bastard. This one always comes back...faster and stronger.

After several setbacks we're finally ready for his last part of fighting the bastard. Stem cell transplant.

I took him in on Friday to UW Madison Health Bone Marrow/Stem Cell to begin his five days of chemo to destroy his immune system...so that it may be replaced by mine. I'm a 50% match. But UW Health is doing a trial to prevent the complications that arise from the donor not being a 100% match.

Basically they pull blood from my left arm...it goes through some magic box that separates my stem cells from my blood....then the remaining blood goes back into my right arm. A continuous loop....for 4-5 hours until all my blood is cycled twice. Then those stem cells go into another magic box and certain proteins are removed in order to (hopefully) prevent rejection and/or Graph vs Host Disease...that's the trial part.
So once that's done...they give it to my pops by IV...then we wait. 30 days in the hospital...minimum. Then he needs a 24 hour babysitter for a few months or up to a year. Who knows. Its all play it by ear. The new immune system is what will fight the cancer.

So Friday I started giving myself injections twice a day of a white blood cell stimulator called Neupogen. Holy fark. This shite is kicking my ass. Main side effect is bone pain. Holy farking bone pain. It feels like I have 20 pinched nerves all at once. In my spine, my hips, my pelvis, sternum, thighs...it sucks. Saturday night the pain was unbearable and the Tylenol wasn't doing shite. Low and behold there's something out there can help manage the pain for this sort of thing....Claritin....yeah the allergy shite. One of those drugs that helps something that it had no intention for when created. At about 12:30am Sunday morning while in excruciating pain I drove to a 24 hour grocery store and picked some up. Within 30 minutes of taking it my pain levels dropped considerably and was able to sleep. Tried whiskey...didn't work.

So Sunday wasn't as bad but the pain is still there. Trying to sleep but it just ain't happenin. The Claritin isn't working as well as it did the first time...but it helps.

So Tuesday morning I go in for the 5 hour donation and hopefully Wednesday my pops will get his transplant. If they don't get enough from me the first time I'll have to go in for a second round on Wednesday. Then transplant on Thursday. Let's hope they get what they need the first time.

So basically my pops has like 2-10 years left with the transplant....with 2-6 being the most likely. I've gotten to spend a lot of time with him in the last year...its been fun and its been hell. For a multitude of reasons....just like any relationship...or medical situation.

So hug your kids...call your folks....help a stranger....do something you've always wanted to do....make someone's day anyway you can. Life is short and you only get one chance at it.
 

superlew

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Apr 22, 2012
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You're fighting for a noble cause, GZ.
I, and I'm absolutely certain all other members are pulling and praying for you and your Dad. What you're doing is so important, not only for your Dad, but for the research that may very well save so many other lives down the road.
I've never been through anything like this, but your story and your attitude toward the situation are very inspiring. :yes:
 

1986GLH

Member (SA)
May 2, 2016
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Thinking of you, your dad, and your entire family during this difficult time. Wishing you all the best.

A friend/coworker of mine had the exact same procedure done at UW Madison a few years ago and he is doing really well. He's had some side effects from the anti-rejection medication he's had to take, but the cancer has stayed away. Hoping for very similar results for your pops.
 

blu_fuz

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Jun 3, 2009
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Greg man, this is great of you to man up and get your pops some cells he needs. I can't imagine having to do that, but you bet your ass I would do the same. Chin up, get some more Claritin and whisky, and beat the heck out of this cancer.
 

ralrein1

Member (SA)
Man o man,my best wishes and prayers to you and your dad. With regards to the Claritin not being as effective. They still make perscription strength that is stronger than the over the counter stuff. Maybe persciption will help w/your pain more effectively. Hope all works out well for your father. Take care.😃
 

caution

Member (SA)
Mar 25, 2014
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Kicking some serious cancer ass bro, hang in there. If I lived closer I'd deliver some medicine for you.
Wise words on life. I think about the shortness of it more than I probably should.
 

JVC Floyd

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May 6, 2009
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Maryland USA.
Best wishes brother I hope everything works out there's people in life like me who beg for death every God damn day and then there's people who want to live then s*** like this happens to them, life is a mother f*****.
 

-GZ-

Member (SA)
Oct 8, 2010
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Well my part is done. 4.5 hours of donation. That was the easy part.

Last night when I was in so much pain I just wanted to die....that was the bad part.

Man I'd like to think I could do that for someone else again but that bone pain....Jesus tap dancing Christ that was painful.

Transplant tomorrow followed by the waiting game.

Thanks for all your kind words fellas...it means a lot.
 

JVC Floyd

Inactive (Delete)
May 6, 2009
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Maryland USA.
I know that had to be the most painful s*** ever I f***** my back up and let me tell you I couldn't even crawl into the f****** grave if I wanted to the pain was so bad.
 

trippy1313

Member (SA)
Jul 16, 2013
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Man I wouldn't have thought donating would be so painful. That's great of you to do that. I really hope this will help him.

Its one thing to donate and sacrifice your time for someone. It's an entirely different thing to sacrifice your body and health. I'll pray for him.
 

ford93

Member (SA)
May 7, 2009
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Wow just got through reading your thread -GZ- and I have to say that your pops must be proud of you!!

I know that every time you felt that pain hitting you it was well worth it because of your dad...............much respect for you bro'!!

Believe me you will be rewarded some way or another because that big guy up there is watching. :yes:

My mom has dementia and I have been her POA since the start and it hasn't been easy trying to resolve her issues and mines at the same time. It's a struggle but well worth it. They were there for us from birth to adult and never bitched at us because they did it because they loved us. Now it's our turn to pay it back.

Love, Honor and Strength brother!!
 

-GZ-

Member (SA)
Oct 8, 2010
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Boom Central
ford93 said:
Wow just got through reading your thread -GZ- and I have to say that your pops must be proud of you!!

I know that every time you felt that pain hitting you it was well worth it because of your dad...............much respect for you bro'!!

Believe me you will be rewarded some way or another because that big guy up there is watching. :yes:

My mom has dementia and I have been her POA since the start and it hasn't been easy trying to resolve her issues and mines at the same time. It's a struggle but well worth it. They were there for us from birth to adult and never bitched at us because they did it because they loved us. Now it's our turn to pay it back.

Love, Honor and Strength brother!!
Right on, brother. Gotta handle whatever life throws at us.
 
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