UCLA was able to get at least 3 million stem cells from Kat yesterday. She was very happy to be Kristine's donor and that they now have her stem cells ready to transplant into Kristine. Kat returned home late last night and is already back at work this morning!
Kristine is being admitted into UCLA this morning. They will start a new pick line to administer what we hope will be her last chemo treatment. This chemo treatment will be very intense. It will be 10 times more potent than the other treatments she has received thus far. She will receive one treatment for 4 days, then another for two days. She will rest on the seventh day (June 2nd). The purpose of these high dose chemo treatments is to kill off Kristine's bone marrow and deplete her immune system prior to the transplant in order to "trick" her body into accepting Kathy's stem cells. A stem cell transplant is no different than an organ transplant. Kristine's body will try to reject the stem cells which is why her immune system must be supressed so that it can't fight back.
Kristine is scheduled to receive her transplant on Friday, June 3rd. This is considered Kristine's 2nd birthday. She will be getting a new lease on life! We are very excited for Kristine and trying to help keep her positive about this next chapter that is unfolding. Kristine is dreading the chemo treatment and is trying not to think about the awful side effects that she was forewarned about. It may be inevitable that she will develop the painful mouth sores that she has heard about. She is also very sad that she will be away from Kahlen and Logan for two months.
Kristine will spend a month at UCLA, then once her blood levels have come up to normal, she will check into a facility (much like a hotel) where she will need to stay for another month. She must remain near UCLA during this part of her recovery just in case she develops any infections or other issues arise. She must also have someone with her 24 hours a day to watch over her. My family and I are working out a schedule to ensure we have someone with her at all times.
Please continue to pray for Kristine. Send all your positive thoughts and energy her way. She needs it all!
Thank you!!!
if there is anybody I know she is the one truly strong enough to get through this! Thank you for keeping us informed, we follow your updates all the time. Thank you!
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