On April 28, 2008, Peter Luna was diagnosed with ALL. Shortly thereafter, he began a number of stringent chemotherapy regimens that lasted a little over 3 months. During this time, we were informed that the chemotherapy alone would likely not keep Pete in remission for life, and that instead, a stem cell transplant would be needed.
Once we were informed that a stem cell transplant would be needed, 7 of our siblings were typed to try and identify a bone marrow match to Pete (see picture above - all siblings were typed except the two little ones). When typing siblings, the general rule is that there is a 1 in 4 chance that a sibling's bone marrow will match. We were lucky in that 2 of our siblings matched Pete's marrow (Rosario Jr. and Patricia were matches). Junior went through a number of exams and was cleared to donate. After approximately a week of exams and 4 hours of actual donation, the stem cell donation process was complete and Junior was done with his part.
Prior to transplant, Pete went through additional chemotherapy to ensure that the blasts (leukemia cells) were removed from his body. In addition, he went through several days of radiation prior to transplant to wipe his entire marrow clean. On August 13, 2008, Pete went through the stem cell infusion process and his 100 days began.
According to the doctors, the engraftment process begins shortly after transplant. Engraftment is the process by which the donated cells Pete received start to grow and make new blood cells. The hope is that the new stem cells will begin regulating the amount and types of cells produced (i.e., white, red, platelets, neutrophils, etc.). The first 100 days after transplant are critical because patients are at risk for a number of complications.
Day 100 came right before Thanksgiving and from all accounts, Pete was doing well. As a result, Pete was able to spend Thanksgiving with our family in Mexia. After day 100 he began spending less and less time in Houston, and more and more time in Mexia. Things seemed to be looking up and our family was getting ready for Christmas, when Pete began feeling a little sick...
Once we were informed that a stem cell transplant would be needed, 7 of our siblings were typed to try and identify a bone marrow match to Pete (see picture above - all siblings were typed except the two little ones). When typing siblings, the general rule is that there is a 1 in 4 chance that a sibling's bone marrow will match. We were lucky in that 2 of our siblings matched Pete's marrow (Rosario Jr. and Patricia were matches). Junior went through a number of exams and was cleared to donate. After approximately a week of exams and 4 hours of actual donation, the stem cell donation process was complete and Junior was done with his part.
Prior to transplant, Pete went through additional chemotherapy to ensure that the blasts (leukemia cells) were removed from his body. In addition, he went through several days of radiation prior to transplant to wipe his entire marrow clean. On August 13, 2008, Pete went through the stem cell infusion process and his 100 days began.
According to the doctors, the engraftment process begins shortly after transplant. Engraftment is the process by which the donated cells Pete received start to grow and make new blood cells. The hope is that the new stem cells will begin regulating the amount and types of cells produced (i.e., white, red, platelets, neutrophils, etc.). The first 100 days after transplant are critical because patients are at risk for a number of complications.
Day 100 came right before Thanksgiving and from all accounts, Pete was doing well. As a result, Pete was able to spend Thanksgiving with our family in Mexia. After day 100 he began spending less and less time in Houston, and more and more time in Mexia. Things seemed to be looking up and our family was getting ready for Christmas, when Pete began feeling a little sick...
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