Day 0

Today is Nico's new stem cell birthday!

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday he was so tired and had no energy and today he bounced right back and was up and about. The catheter did get removed, no IVs were attached to him and he was free to move around. He did not need any help to get to the bathroom. No nausea either!

Around 9:00 am Dr. Burt and his entourage breezed into the room and after reassuring Nico that everything goes as planed, he was gone again. 

The stem cell transplant was scheduled for 11:00 am and the premeds started at 10:30. Premeds consisted of Tylenol and steroids (I believe?). 

Right on time Valerie, the medical technician, rolled a liquid Nitrogen dewar into the room. She also brought a waterbath to thaw out the cells. 

Labels were compared to make sure all is correct. The cells were gently defrosted, transferred to a special pump and hooked up to Nico's PICC line. 

The transfusion took less than 15 min. and went without a hitch. He was closely monitored afterward for any signs of adverse reaction.

Later in the afternoon the physical therapist crew came by and took him for a walk in the hallway.

Today was a great day, Nico will finally get his life back!