As you may recall from my previous posts, apheresis is the process of harvesting certain components from whole blood. In my case white cells and in particular, T cells.
Things got underway yesterday when I was asked to submit myself for a Covid PCR test. I had to travel the few miles to the Weston General Hospital where a test crew had been established. You will have seen the procedure: lean out of the car window and have a swab applied to the throat and nostril. I'm not sure whether this was required as part of the trial or to protect the apheresis nurses. Either way I tested negative.
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| Apheresis Unit at the BHOC (Click to Enlarge) |
This morning was an early start to be in Bristol for my 8am appointment. It's amazing how setting out earlier can affect journey time. I arrived annoyingly early. The first hour was taken up with clinical trial paperwork and then the taking of blood samples. Last month I set a personal record of 14 phials. You guessed it, today that record was shattered - I provided 24 phials. I'm sure that Tony Hancock ("The Blood Donor") would have had something to say.
My 9am I was connected up to the machine: one tube to my left arm, one to my right arm and only one allows movement. The other must not be moved or even bent at the elbow. In the event I was to remain connected until 1pm; so for a total of 4 hours. As always, the nurses were so friendly, cheerful and efficient. They seemed to know when to ask how I was getting on and would I like a coffee.
Tomorrow I return to the BHOC to receive my first Bridging Therapy appointment. The shipping of my T cells to the USA and their processing will take about 6 weeks. In the meantime I will receive at least one 4 week chemotherapy cycle. If there were to be any delay in the USA I might be given a further cycle. I'm fortunate that the doctors have agreed that I should have my preferred combination of Daratumumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethazone. This combination only requires my attendance once a week so is almost tolerable.
Things are most definitely now under way.
Stephen
