Chris and her sister Debbie in August of 2007 in NH. We had no idea what the next 12 months would bring at this point.
June 2008 - Getting ready to start the chemo. It took about 15 minutes to take it all. Notice the "pic" line inserted in her chest. The chemo was given via the line. The chemo is so strong that it can burn through veins close to the skin, thus Chris had to keep ice packed in her mouth for about 20 minutes to avoid severe sores. This is the equivalent of 6 months worth of oral chemo in two direct shots over 2 days.
The actual chemo, melphalan, which was given via the pic line (catheter) that had been inserted into her chest for about 6 weeks. This is the stuff that almost kills you but in the end is your best friend. Chris took the maximum (but highest risk) dose.
One of two bags, each containing 5 million stem cells. These are collected in a process similar to dialysis and separated with a centrifuge. The stems cells are collected prior to the chemo, then replanted a few days afterward.
They very carefully wrapped her stem cells up and transported them in this box to the blood bank for freezing. They can be stored for 10 years. In her case they replanted half of them back into her bone marrow. The other half, about 5 million are still at BU.
July in Boston, about 21 days after the chemo. Chris was under 95 pounds and unable to walk more than about 10 feet at a time.
On the deck in NH in August. Very frail, but happy to be done with the treatment and very slowly starting to feel a bit normal again.
Chris with Stephen, January 2009.
Chris and her sister Debbie in August of 2007 in NH. We had no idea what the next 12 months would bring at this point.
June 2008 - Getting ready to start the chemo. It took about 15 minutes to take it all. Notice the "pic" line inserted in her chest. The chemo was given via the line. The chemo is so strong that it can burn through veins close to the skin, thus Chris had to keep ice packed in her mouth for about 20 minutes to avoid severe sores. This is the equivalent of 6 months worth of oral chemo in two direct shots over 2 days.
The actual chemo, melphalan, which was given via the pic line (catheter) that had been inserted into her chest for about 6 weeks. This is the stuff that almost kills you but in the end is your best friend. Chris took the maximum (but highest risk) dose.
One of two bags, each containing 5 million stem cells. These are collected in a process similar to dialysis and separated with a centrifuge. The stems cells are collected prior to the chemo, then replanted a few days afterward.
They very carefully wrapped her stem cells up and transported them in this box to the blood bank for freezing. They can be stored for 10 years. In her case they replanted half of them back into her bone marrow. The other half, about 5 million are still at BU.
July in Boston, about 21 days after the chemo. Chris was under 95 pounds and unable to walk more than about 10 feet at a time.
On the deck in NH in August. Very frail, but happy to be done with the treatment and very slowly starting to feel a bit normal again.
Chris with Stephen, January 2009.
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