BWB was submitted to the pre-transplant of stem cells in 2005, when the procedure was performed only in patients in the hospital and the fear of complications was great. Since then, the 15-day treatment is much simpler and the whole procedure takes place at Unineuro, with no need for the patient to stay in the hospital.

Patient testimonial - B.W.B, 2005

"I was admitted on August 1, to start the treatment. During the first three days, I did several tests and exams such as blood, urine, lungs, heart, abdominal (called screening). As I arrived in Curitiba with the flu and coughing, much care was taken with my lungs. Twice a day, hospital physiotherapists cared for my breathing. On August 4, I was taken to surgery so as to have a catheter inserted. Once I was back in the bedroom, chemotherapy started. It made me very sick, it is impossible to put into words how a person feels, physically and emotionally. No one could talk to me or ask me how I was as all I wanted to do was cry. At that point I thought, “Am I going to feel so sick during all the treatment?”

On the following day, they started to give me plasil, then at least vomit stopped, but the nausea continued. The next day I was placed in isolation quarters. I could not leave the room and when doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and my husband came in, they all had to be properly dressed (caps, gloves, mask, apron and a special protection in the shoes). I was in isolation for twelve days, being visited by my dear "vampires," the nurses who took my blood every day to monitor the drop of leukocytes and when I was running a fever, they had to take my blood more often to see wether I had an infection.

During these twelve days, the leukocytes count dropped and my immune system was very low. I felt very bad again, very weak, and I stayed in bed only. When I stood up, what I had to do several times a day because of the drip, I felt very dizzy (I had no strength). When the white blood cells count was low, the granulometry shots started (five in total, given in the belly) and after that my leukocytes increased again, in other words, the production of new stem cells started. Then, the pain in the bones began, the whole body ached and the doctor told me that this was a sign that the medication was working. On the last day in isolation, an infusion of blood platelets was made because these were very low. I felt very bad during this infusion, in the end I could not breath and my blood pressure suddenly rose a lot and I had a temperature.

After the twelve days in isolation, I went back to the room where I stayed for three more days, until I recovered well. Throughout the treatment (even when I felt very sick) I did not give up hope and I always tried to keep up a good mood. Over these last three days, my hair started to fall. Hair just fell as leaves fall from a tree in the fall. All I had to do was move and it fell. After the second day, I asked my husband to call a hairdresser as I could not stand my hair all over my pajamas and pillow. The hairdresser came and had my hair cut very short. When the doctor saw me, he said I might as well shave it all off because there wouldn’t be any left anyway. At home, back in Sao Paulo, my husband literally shaved my head, just as if he was shaving himself. Nothing else could be done.

I can only thank the excellent care given to me by everyone, Dr. Paulo Bittencourt (neurologist), Dr Rodrigo (oncologist), Dr. Maria Carolina (angiologist responsible for the catheter), the physiotherapists (Paulo, Gerson, Giovanna and Monica), the nurses and, especially, my husband, who was there for me all the time, giving me strength and a huge support. I also thank all the support I received from my family, friends and BASF. I am very happy to have undergone the treatment as part of a research that can now help many people who have this disease that progresses silently without the patient being aware.

Now comes the recovery. I still feel weak, but it will get better. I believe that soon I will be back to my daily routine. In September (12 and 13), I will go back to Curitiba for an evaluation."

B.W.B., in August 2005