Getting ready for the CAR-T trial requires that the folks at Dr. Frankenstein’s lab get some of my T-cells. The process itself isn’t too bad, much like donating plasma at your neighborhood blood bank. Getting the plumbing done is a pain in the neck though.
The plumbing part requires a Marhurkar (huge catheter) installation in your jugular so that you can both send and receive blood simultaneously to a filtering machine that takes out only the part of your blood that it needs. It’s not very comfortable, and that’s probably why they like to place it a day before it’s actually needed. 🙁 Needless to say, didn’t get much sleep Tuesday evening. You also need to be really careful for a few days after it’s removed, so that you don’t disturb the clot in your jugular.
The procedure went okay, got the catheter placed on the second try – which – all things considered – isn’t too bad. They chose to go into the left vein in order to avoid the permanent line (port) in my right vein. Apparently, the left is a more difficult path. It’s all done now, so I’m not quite as grumpy as I was earlier. 😉
It’s now up to the lab to decide if my stuff was good enough to work with, and if so probably 4-5 weeks of genetic manipulation before I get it back. And that’s the tricky part. Yet another line – this time a Picc – and 24/7 babysitting for signs of zombification. More on that later.
4 thoughts on “February 8-9 2021”
Ken.. TY for walking us through your procedure.. It’s hard to read about all you’ve encountered the past several years. But Prayers are flowing from the J. Farm for your healing and recovery.. Hugs, Barb <3
Ken I admire your toughness. I can’t imagine all that you are going through but I believe in a God that is bigger than all that you are facing and He is in control and watching over you. God’s blessing to you as always and continued prayers for your recovery. Keep the faith 🙂
Ken I admire your toughness. I can’t imagine all that you are going through but I believe in a God that is bigger than all that you are facing and He is in control and watching over you. God’s blessing to you as always and continued prayers for your recovery. Keep the faith 🙂 .
Oh, wow, no fun at all. Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you were doing. Praying for you, buddy.