The Tough Terrain

The green light to stem cell was a difficult call but was ultimately made! Doctors were already starting to preparing even before the call was made to ensure treatment could start the soonest.

Within one week, everything was geared up to run the most difficult terrain. We met the team of doctors that specializes in stem cell transplants and two other doctors specializing in germ cell tumors. Correspondance have also been made with specialists from overseas who wrote articles on stem cell transplants for germ cell tumors.

Upon admission, a round of test of bone marrow was required and so an extraction of the marrow was carried out. The experience was one of extreme bone ache and it was very uncomfortable for a few days.

After the first cycle of intermediate chemo, the extreme fatigue and lost of appetite were again the side effects. With the need to boost the bone marrow for new cells to be later collected, three injections of growth factors were needed daily. This stimulation caused bone aches which turn nights into sleepless ones. Fortunately, paracetemol was invented and it soon gave much relief to the aches.