The wait is over and time for transplant is finally here! After 3 rounds of intense IV induction chemotherapy, several rounds of platelet and blood transfusions, numerous bone marrow biopsies and lumbar punctures, and lots of testing & waiting, it is time for Kaylie’s Bone Marrow Transplant. 

On Wednesday, June 15th, Kaylie will be admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant floor at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Day 1 they will be doing labs and placing a Hickman Line for infusions. She will also restart a medication called Allopurinol, to protect her kidneys from the treatments she will receive. On Thursday, she will begin her course of pre-transplant radiation. She will go through 4 days of full body radiation, 2x/day, to wipe out her immune system. Then, she will get a new immune system when she gets her bone marrow transplant from her anonymous donor on day 6. For Kaylie, the process of the transplant is similar to a blood transfusion; the donor’s stem cells have been processed into an infusion bag and will be given to Kaylie via IV infusion through her Hickman line. The donor’s stem cells will then replace Kaylie’s bone marrow with new & healthy stem cells.  Therefore, the cancer should not be able to return because the stem cells within the bone marrow (cells that make white and red blood cells for Kaylie’s immune system) will not have the Leukemia-causing mutations that were once present in Kaylie’s blood.  The day after her transplant, Kaylie will rest. Then, she will undergo two days of IV chemotherapy with a drug called Cytoxan, to keep her immune system, the host cells, suppressed while the new bone marrow tries to replace Kaylie’s bone marrow. After chemotherapy, Kaylie will be prescribed numerous medications, both IV and oral, to prevent various side effects and complications that can arise from the radiation, chemo and transplant. She will also be prescribed 2 anti-rejection medications, both of which she will take long-term, called Sirolimus (Rapamune), and Mycophenplate Mofetil (MMF), to help prevent rejection of the transplant. Kaylie will remain in the hospital for close monitoring and care, discharge estimated to be about 3 weeks after the bone marrow transplant. From there, she will have close follow up with her treatment team to monitor for complications and receive blood and platelet transfusions as needed to help boost her new growing immune system. Kaylie has shown unwavering strength throughout these unimaginable past few months and we can’t wait for her to return home to her family, CANCER FREE! 

At this time Kaylie and her family only ask for thoughts and prayers as she endures this final hurdle towards a cure. If you wish to help Kaylie or other’s suffering from cancer and blood disease, please consider donated blood/platelets/plasma or signing up for Be The Match. For questions feel free to reach out to Kaylie’s sister Nikki @ 651-788-1279 .