Inés wanted to share with us his testimony, as she experienced first hand experience:
"Since Friday ... as the weeks and the time ... That time sometimes ally and other enemy in light of the circumstances that stand. Today I "stumbled" with my partner, 2007, one with which many times I was angry, which was inseparable in my hospital bedside ... the calendar. From my first entrance there is a desk calendar was invaluable, and like a prisoner counting the days until his release, I also would crossing in search of mine. Interestingly not marked at nightfall, but to open our eyes each morning, I guess desperately seeking security and achieved complete self-conviction that, for better or worse, the day. So, my calendar, as well as filled with crosses, so did all kinds of annotations (later the psychiatrist recommended that I do not have it in sight so I will not generate more anxiety). It is very hard to close your eyes and try to sleep with the uncertainty of what the new day holds for you, especially when you realize that, as events unfold, you have a good chance it's nothing good.
I entered directly into the isolation unit within hours of knowing the diagnosis, March 20, 2007. I received my first cycle of chemotherapy between 21 and 28. 30 started with fever and continued uninterrupted until 10 April. The same was true of 13 to 19 until the doctors identified an infection in the catheter and did send it by antibiotics and with the cooperation of a new central line. The result of the first puncture after treatment was nothing encouraging. Had not achieved a complete remission of the disease and had to force it with a second cycle. The idea of \u200b\u200bgoing one week at home was gone. Should remain hospitalized for another month, so I got the reinduction between 20 and 27 April. Again, the news was negative. There was no support for my brothers and did not appear in the REDMO donor ... total and absolute uncertainty. We propose a desperate option: combining cells of my mother and a umbilical cord, there are no guarantees .... until finally a number of doctors entering the room and inform me that there has appeared a compatible cord with me. A break, give thanks, hope, light ... The month of May was slightly better, with only a week of fever. After 63 days in isolation, I finally left the hospital on May 28 but re-entered to receive a third cycle of chemotherapy (consolidation), which ended on 3 June. Day 30 finally came out into the street. had every July to rest and recuperate before transplantation.
Salamanca, bad news: they had found the bag containing the cord blood were transfused me, had a crack. He had thrown away. I could not believe, could have such bad luck, it was clear that my destiny was not live. Peeeeeeeero continued the doctor, had another cord available, with less cellularity and no however, more compatible with me than the last. Sigh .... On the 8th of August begins the fourth and most brutal cycle, called the conditioning regimen. This treatment aims to literally wipe out the bone and leave it ready for transplant . life I will remember both the rabbit Thymoglobulin and its side effects (this is a very strong medication that is provided to prevent GVHD) and other types of chemotherapy that is exuded by the skin and forced me over three days to shower every three hours to remove it. At that point, get out of bed and just get to the bathroom, was already a titanic effort. So I transplantation, on day 16, conditioned, yes, but the limit of my physical and psychological forces.
transplant not much I can tell, except that was the least traumatic. In my case (this is exceptional), was performed under deep sedation in the operating room, injecting stem cells directly into the iliac crests. Aplasia time was hard, long, but it was the final straight. If all went well, could go home while bearing in mind that during the first year after transplantation was very likely to appear very serious complications, usually related to GVHD. On September 12 I get the high ... 132 days ago remained in isolation, four cycles of chemotherapy, 27 platelet transfusions, 21 blood transfusions, parental feeding and severe side effects, some predictable and others less so. Everything was perfect, I had little to one day +100 when there was a great shock and on the other hand, the miracle. Well, better said, miracles: one, which can now count two, to find me in the hospital for a check when things began to turn after the spinal tap. I began to find fatal, symptoms were nonspecific, but all indicated that something was no good: shortness of breath, dizziness, terrible thirst, confusion and finally a semiconscious state. Because bacterial infection (Pseudomonas) in the catheter, within a few hours he was in critical condition. There was a septic shock that led to multiple organ failure. Although that was so weak, she lost lucidity at times, I remember perfectly to six physicians (hematologists, intensivists and digestive surgeons), nurses and support staff, surrounding my bed debating what to do. was there in the very room where Teresa Caballero and Ignacio de la Fuente, backed by the rest of the medical team and supported by nurses and auxiliary , saved my life. Nine bombs worked frenetic pace to stabilize my constant and a shot of dopamine gave me the heart beating ever more faintly, tachycardia in seconds. I did ask the doctors about what was happening and although I was totally drugged, I still remember his answers ... I could not breathe, despite mechanical ventilation was suffocating me, the fluid in the lungs caused me unspeakable pain, the bowel was paralyzed and my response to the worsening respiratory failure, agreed to get off to the ICU. I spent three days (I was told later), between the unconscious and lucidity.
Agnes, surrounded by some members of your team
I left that against all odds, I went to the isolation unit and 17 days, now close to Christmas, was home no muscle, no strength, with 46 kilos of weight ... but HAPPY!
"My plans? Living with the best possible quality of life, re-examined thoroughly enjoy every moment, to love those around me and let me pamper them, smile a lot and mourn little.
This is my personal story. Nevertheless I managed to get ahead, but are far too many who do not. I acknowledge also the fate that initially turned away at the end took my hand. Many people (some babies or small children) who have suffered infinitely more than me and with whom the disease has shown no mercy to cruelty. So I do not care to recount what happened to me a thousand times more if needed. Hopefully, together, with our evidence, we continue to stir consciences and get more donors than it is, what they can, whatever they want. Although I know it's a very difficult task because unfortunately, until they touch the stuff close, you do not become sensitized to these causes. Much encouragement and greetings to all! "
