News from Arizona

My Mom asked me to post an update as they are busy in AZ while Dad is being used as a human pin cushion! She said that there running all sorts of tests to make sure that he is good to go, so far the Dr said he looks to be in good health, and his age is good for this too. The oldest they have done this on is a 78 year olds so he is young.The Dr's want to move quickly and have planned for him to start the procedure around the 13th of October. They will fly home next week and then return around the 10th they were hoping to get more time at home to tie up loose ends and spend time as a family but it looks as if they will only have a few days and then be back again. He will start the injections of the medication that will exhilarate marrow production and allow his stem cells to come through the bone walls so that they can be harvested. Once they have enough healthy stem cells they will start what they call a "lethal dose of Chemo" for about 7 days. Then give give him back the new stem cells and they should start to rebuild into new healthy marrow. He will most likely be in the hospital for three weeks and then he will have to stay in the area to make sure all is well. It will probably total 40 days. If he's lucky it might rid him of his Rheumatoid Arthritis as well, we're not getting greedy though we want the Cancer gone first!! Im no Dr and this is all coming second hand so I hope it's correct.

Thanks for all your love, concern, and prayers.

The Anderson's

Here is some info from the Mayo Clinics web site on the procedure...

Definition:

A stem cell transplant is the infusion of healthy stem cells into your body. A stem cell transplant may be necessary if your bone marrow stops working and doesn't produce enough healthy stem cells. A stem cell transplant can help your body make enough healthy white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets, and reduce your risk of life-threatening infections, anemia and bleeding.
Although the procedure to replenish your body's supply of healthy blood-forming cells is generally called a stem cell transplant, it's also known as a bone marrow transplant or an umbilical cord blood transplant, depending on the source of the stem cells. Stem cell transplants can use cells from your own body (autologous stem cell transplant) or they can utilize stem cells from donors (allogenic stem cell transplant).

Why it's Done:

Destroy unhealthy bone marrow that may contain cancer cells. In the case of cancer a stem cell transplant procedure may help rid the bone marrow of cancer cells. When healthy stem cells are transplanted, normal cell production can resume. In addition, immune factors in the transplanted cells may help destroy any cancer cells that remain in your bone marrow.

Here is a link with further info http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stem-cells/CA00081