Day Zero of Stem Cell Transplant #1 - THE BIG DAY!

The day has arrived. After much preparation and anticipation for "Day Zero," Theofanis finally received the stem cells which were harvested  from him back in June. Technically, the procedure is referred to as an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant.  He is receiving is own cells back into his body.

Today, October 26th is the feast day of Saint Demetrios, the patron saint of Theofanis' church in Elmhurst where he serves in the Altar. On this day the Yianas family also celebrates the Name Day of Theo's sister, Demetra. So, when Kosta and Eleni received confirmation that Theo's Stem Cell Transplant would be on the Feast Day of Saint Demetrios, they felt hope an comfort that Saint Demetrios would watch over their son. What a blessing it is to have this important medical event take place on such an important day on the church's calendar!  

A celebratory breakfast on Day Zero!

Day Zero started much the same way that the previous few days had started. Theo had a restful night's sleep and woke up excited to be receiving his "Supercells. "  He knew that these are the healthy cells that would take over his body. And, these are the cells that will rescue his system from the nasty medicine had been receiving the week prior.  He woke up hungry and enjoyed his breakfast. Mommy, who had stayed with him overnight, made him Mickey Mouse pancakes while Daddy was home with the girls, tasked with quickly getting them ready for school so that he could get to the hospital by 10 am, the scheduled time for the transplant. infusion.

Kosta dropped Demetra off at school in Palatine and then brought Sophia to Pythagoras in Elmhurst.  As the Divine Liturgy was beginning on this special day to commemorate St. Demetrios, Kosta lit a few candles and offered a few prayers, a special one specifically for his son's Stem Cell Transplant. He then left the church and headed to the hospital to be with Theo.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, preparations were in full swing. Theo was given some Benadryl to prevent any possible reaction to the preservative that kept the cells "fresh" while they were frozen, and he was given Tylenol for any possible fever that may spike. He was connected to all the monitors, checking blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, etc. And, Theo's stem cells were delivered from the area where they were banked for the past four months, frozen and ready to be rendered active for use.


Kosta arrived just before 10am to see a mobile laboratory right outside Theo's hospital room with a technician thawing and preparing his son's stem cells.  There was a lot of buzz in the area and much activity as the RN and transplant coordinator, Patty, was overseeing the nurses and prepping Theo for the big moment. Daddy then walked into Theo's room with a huge "Happy Transplant Day" sign made lovingly by his sisters.

Theo was ready and Patty indicated that the time had come.  The technician brought in the bag with his cells and hung them next to his bed.  The name and patient code on the bag were checked and double-checked to match the name and patient code on Theo's wristband. It was a small bag with a shiny bright red color, gleaming with a wonderful and inviting hue, an attractive aspect that it commanded attention.  Eleni and Kosta could not stop looking  at the bright red bag of stem cells that would give Theo's body a medical new life.  

At exactly 10:17 am, Patty called the time while she started the pump, and 200 million cells began to return to Theofanis' body.  These cells have the incredibly important responsiblity of rescuing and rebuilding new cells in Theofanis' bone marrow and resetting his body's immune system.

The infusion itself lasted about forty five minutes.  Every few minutes, Theo's vitals were taken. Theo's temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure stayed constant. Nothing went up or down. The numbers on the monitors did not flinch. The alarms were silent. Patty was genuinely amazed and repeatedly called him a model patient.  By 11:15, Patty had left Theo's room and the infusion was officially complete.  His close monitoring would continue for the next few hours, but Theofanis had no issues.  The transplant went well, in fact, it went very well! His cells felt right at home in their rightful place!

So, throughout the morning, doctors and nurses alike congratulated Theo on a transplant well done! And, Amy from Child Life delivered another "Happy Transplant Day" sign, a balloon, gifts and a huge 100 day Countdown Calendar. Now, the clock starts ticking Day +1, +2, +3, etc.

The rest of the day was a bit anticlimactic as the excitement of the morning's activity subsided into the afternoon.  Eleni left to go pick up the girls from school.  Theo was in a great mood.  "I'm glad I got my Supercells back!" he exclaimed.  Yet, as the day wore on, he grew tired and the manifestations of the previous weeks' chemotherapy were becoming more and more evident. Although the nausea was not as bad, Theo was beginning to suffer from mouth sores that were becoming more painful.  Unfortunately, the pain likely will get worse before it gets better.

As Day Zero wound down it was clear that Theo was tired.  And in spite of the exciting events of the day, the emotional strain of being hospitalized made Theo realize how much he missed his sisters, how much he missed being home, and how much he missed doing the things his family would do together. During the Yianas family's nightly video chats via Face Time, Theo became upset when he realized he likely would miss the girls' dance recital of The Nutcracker Suite in December.  Daddy tried to comfort him and Mommy comforted the girls at home while they still were together via Face Time.  Theofanis wants so badly to be able to have the freedom to go to these events, and instead feels trapped in his hospital room. So Eleni and Kosta focused on and reinforced the fact that what is going on right now is temporary. They are carefully explaining the difference between temporary and permanent, so that all their kids, especially Theo, understand. "The hospital, the medicine, the pain...this is temporary. But, Theo, your "Supercells" are working to make more and more healthy cells. That is permanent!"


May the blessings of St. Demetrios be with all of us both now and always. Xronia Polla to all Demetris and Demetras and to our wonderful Parish of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst.