Mobilizing Stem Cells

In order to be collected in sufficient numbers from the blood, stem cells have to undergo the process of ‘mobilization’ from their usual bone marrow habitat.





After 5 days of Neupogen injections (used to encourage his bone marrow to produce stem cells), Dennis and I were at Spectrum at 7:00 a.m. this morning, anticipating a 6-hour stem cell harvest.  No go. The chemotherapy has suppressed the bone marrow to the extent that the stem cells will be very difficult to produce. Dennis’ bone marrow is tired and is being stubborn.

We will return to Spectrum this afternoon so that Dennis can receive the latest approved drug, an injection of Mozobil. Hopefully his bone marrow will respond to that, and the stem cell harvest can begin on Wednesday, January 14.

Oh! And we found out today that Dennis is the FIRST adult to go through a second stem cell harvest with the Spectrum Blood and Marrow Transplant Program.

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