BMTU

Yesterday, I spent the day on the bone marrow transplant unit learning about exactly what the unit does which is bone marrow transplants. Our unit does bone marrow transplants on all pediatric patients that need them, but they aren't done nearly as often as they are in adults. Our next pediatric transplant is happening on July 18 on a sickler patient (a child with sickle cell anemia). The reason I went to the adult unit is so that by the time I am off orientation I will have been able to do a transplant. Well I did exactly what I went for, I did a transplant yesterday. I did what is called an autologous transplant (which means the cells I transfused into the patient are they patients own cells which have been preserved). The only weird thing was the smell of the DMSO (this is the preservative used to preserve the cells while they are frozen), it smells like a weird garlic--yuck!

Other than that, my parents are coming into town tonight--I am so excited to see them. They are staying in town overnight and we will go golfing tomorrow (that is a usual outing when it is the four of us--Phillip, myself and both my parents). Want to see something fabulous? Here it is:

I think my patients will love it!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun July 4th weekend, I'll actually be working Saturday and Sunday. Remember what this holiday is about. Thanks to all the troops and family members of the troops out there. We appreciate all that you do!