Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donor

[safetymom]

Has anyone ever done this? My son is doing this in several weeks for an person needing them. He doesn't know the person.

We have a bad track record for low side effects. Meaning if something bad can happen it has happened in our family.

I am so proud of my son for doing this!!! Off to do some research.

Thanks.

[MonkeyPants]

wow very cool, I worked bone marrow/stem cell transplant for about 5 years when I first got out of nursing school. I didnt work with those donating, but those receiving the bone marrow or stem cells.

[DVCJones]

Hi Safetymom,

I'm pretty sure the risk is no more than if you donated blood. The process is the same except that the blood is passed through a machine to separate the cells needed from what is not needed. If I remember correctly there may be medication that the donor needs to take for several days leading up to the procedure. I don't know much about this drug, but I think it increases blood cells.

My husband and I donate blood regularly at the Boston's Children's Hospital. One time while we were there, there was someone hooked up to a machine while they were giving blood. I asked the nurse about it and I am pretty sure she called it a peripheral blood donation. I am pretty sure it takes quite a bit longer to do than a regular blood donation. I am pretty sure whatever isn't needed get returned back into the donor through another vein in the other arm.

I don't think there is much risk, but you should do your own research.

Sorry about my awful memory. It was awhile ago and the details are fuzzy.I also remember being told it was a new procedure.

Wishing good luck to your son.

[MonkeyPants]

If I remember correctly there may be medication that the donor needs to take for several days leading up to the procedure.


indeed, he'll likely be given neupogen injections that will stilmulate his marrow into pumping out cells for harvest. The typical/most common side effect is bone pain.

[safetymom]

I am not so worried about the donation part but the injections of hormones beforehand. We are regular blood donors.

[simonkodousek]

I have never heard of this, nor know the side effects, but I just wanted to congratulate your son on doing this! It takes a special person to be able to make a medical donation like that. :)

[safetymom]

Thank you. I am very proud of my son.

[ibleedblue]

My MIL had to get a stem cell transplant when she relapsed with leukemia for the 3rd time in 2007 (sadly she passed away Easter weekend). Her brother was a near perfect match and donated cells for her. He took the neupogen shots for a week or so prior to donation. Everything was fine except he said he felt like he had the flu the whole time and his bones ached. He was fine a couple of days after the donation. I have a picture of him hooked up to the machine I can send to you if you want. Just PM me. Needle in each arm sucking blood out one side and pumping it back in the other!

Props to your son for stepping up and helping a stranger out like that!

[safetymom]

Thanks for the offer!!!! He is aware of how they do it since his late father used to donate this way for some elements in his blood.

[MonkeyPants]

Thanks for the offer!!!! He is aware of how they do it since his late father used to donate this way for some elements in his blood.

if he did platelet transfusions, thats is also how it is done

[SaskDisNut]

Has anyone ever done this? My son is doing this in several weeks for an person needing them. He doesn't know the person.

We have a bad track record for low side effects. Meaning if something bad can happen it has happened in our family.

I am so proud of my son for doing this!!! Off to do some research.

Thanks.

You should be very proud. It is truely giving the gift of life! My DW donated her stem cells to her sister last year. In fact, next week it will be the one year anniversary of the transplant and my DSIL is doing very well. We had to travel several hours away to the city where the transplant took place about 5 days before the transplant. Each day DW had to go to the hospital to get the neupogen injections. After the first couple of days she experienced a low grade fever and some bone pain - basically flu like symptoms. She was told that the donation process could take up to 5 or 6 hours depending on how many stem cells were in her blood. But for her she was finished and off the machine in only a couple of hours. It didn't take more than a day or so before the flu like symptoms disappeared and she was back to normal.

I wish him all the best! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Sphyrna]

wow very cool, I worked bone marrow/stem cell transplant for about 5 years when I first got out of nursing school. I didnt work with those donating, but those receiving the bone marrow or stem cells.

Wow, small world! I worked in bome marrow/stem cell transplant myself for a few years! Although my experience was with cadaveric vertebral columns.

Kathy, that's very nice of your son. I hope all goes well!!