Simple Mechanics

For many, most medical terms are heard of but never fully understood. Through experiences one would seem to have gained a "wealth" of medical knowledge, in fact it is only a drop in the ocean of vast and complex medical knowledge and research.

Our simple layman version of Stem Cell Transplant in Kevin's Case:
It is a salvage treatment used when the traditional regime of chemo and surgery fails to tame the tumors. There are 2 parts to the treatment, the stem cell collection and the stem cell transplant.

Preperation and Stem Cell Collection
Intermediate dose chemo is given in an attempt to shrink and contain the tumors while allowing the body to generate new cells after the course of treatment. Drugs are given to stimulate the cell growth. After which, blood is taken through a tube and pumped through a machine with the ability to seperate the newly grown cells. The blood is returned concurrently.

The Stem Cell Transplant
High dose chemo is the main attempt to wipe out all the cancer cells in the body. This however leaves the body with no immunity. The stem cells would be returned through intravenous drips after 3 days of the chemo. The body would require 2-3 weeks to recover from this cycle. In total, there will be 3 such cycles.

Upon completion of transplant, much care has to be put in the diet and surroundings for at least 3 months as advised. This is to avoid any source of infection which will impact the recuperation.