Day 0: Kal Had His Stem Cell Transplant! (:

 

It has been a whirlwind of a day! On one end, Kal received his stem cell transplant today! Woohoo! The time before transplant was pretty lackluster. Just the normal routine medicines, eating, mouth care, and sponge bath. He gagged on some of his medicine this morning, though, but apparently it wasn't enough to have to repeat those does of medicine, so that was great! Kal also threw up this evening while eating. I think the mucous is building up in his throat, as is typical with BMT patients, and so I believe he just had junk in his throat that got in the way of the food he was eating. Other than that, he's been a pretty good sport today. One thing he especially loves to do is check himself out in the mirror that they attached to his crib. Oh man, it is so funny how he loves looking at his reflection! I even have to cover the mirror with a blanket during his naps and bedtime because he will not go to sleep if he sees that mirror. He literally would just spend forever staring and smiling at himself. What a goof!

"Well hey, who's this cute looking baby in my crib?!"

It looked like he was giving himself kisses. (:

For the actual transplant, Kal received some "Benny" (Benadryll), to help keep down on possible allergic reactions to the cells entering his body, as well as some steroids. He's also been taking an anti-rejection drug since yesterday, which is an immune suppressant. I don't remember if there was anything else out of the ordinary that they gave him beforehand. After some family members came up to our room, we connected via Skype with some of our best friends so they could watch and join in the party.

Then, the official lab guy came in the room with his cooler and made us and the nurse sign some paperwork. I could start to feel the jitters and excitement then. It was like waiting to open a long awaited Christmas present, except even more important and special than any other material gift you could acquire. After that, the room filled with nurses, doctors, the social worker, the child life specialist, and BMT coordinator. We all put on party hats and pulled out his BMT birthday cake. My husband had the idea of the cake and to put the number "0" on the cake, since it was like Kal's life was starting over again. All the people in the room thought that idea was super cute! The BMT coordinator and social worker gave him adorable gifts while the child life specialist gave him a banner saying, "Happy BMT Birthday, Kal!" with notes and signatures from the nurses.

Daddy and Kal with Daddy's cute cake and "0" candle idea!

The moment that Kal took a chunk out of the icing... Whoopsie! Hehehe.

I know, as you can see here, Kal is quite the party animal.

The doctor also gave us a calendar for everyone to take bets on when he will engraft  (meaning his ANC (absolute neutrophil count) is over 500 for 2 consecutive days), meaning his body is starting to grow and produce healthy blood stem cells. When you place your guess, you must put money in the envelope and write your name on the day of your guess. Then, whomever's guess was closest gets... a big, warm feeling. The rules are that the money actually goes to the patient, no matter who's guess was the closest to his actual engraftment date. The doctor said the average is between Day 20- Day 30. So, take your guesses, people! (In my book, you're not required to put money in the envelope if you don't want to, but I would still like to know your guesses, just for fun.)

Then we all sang, "Happy (BMT) Birthday" to him, they hooked him up to the little IV line, and that was it! Sort of looks anti-climactic on the outside, I know, but it's the amazing things those little cells are about to do that is the big deal.

That's Kal's new stem cells- his new life in that little bag (the one that looks like blood). Crazy, right?!

On the other end of the emotions in this day, I got to talk with 3 different parents from our floor today and learn about what their children have been and are currently going through. All I can say is... there are no words. There are no words to describe the pain, heartache, stress, and hope that they have been through with their child's medical trials. I already have been able to count so many blessings throughout Kal's situation, but spend 5 minutes with one of those parents, and you'll think of a whole new list of things to be thankful for. My heart aches for them and their sweet children. I pray their children will continue to improve in their heath every day so they can start their road to recovery.

It is a surreal feeling that my son received the possible cure for his Chronic Granulomatous Disease today, from umbilical cord blood, held in a tiny IV bag. That itty bitty bag held the answers to hopes and prayers of many family members and friends. It held the start of a new life for Kal, including a bumpy road of recovery ahead. Yet, it also held the possibility of a distant future filled with exciting adventures void of fear, extra precautions, multiple serious infections, and recurrent hospital stays. It held his new lease on life. In my heart, that little bag of stem cells held a miracle waiting to happen.