We are very close to the start of the bone marrow transplant (BMT). Officially, the timer will start when UCSF calls us and says they are “activating” a donor. When we get this call, we will be in a 3 week countdown for the transplant.
We had a tour of the UCSF BMT facilities the other day. It is very interesting in how they have it set up. The room Clark will be treated in is behind another room they call the “anti” room. The “anti” room is a “prep room” where Beth and I will store and eat our food, as well as scrub up and prepare to visit with Clark. Clark will not be allowed out of his treatment room for the entire 6 weeks he is being treated at UCSF. Beth and I will be allowed out, but we will need to sanitize up to our elbows before entering Clark’s room.
As well we learned that Beth will not be allowed to shower in Clark’s room, but she will be able to use the toilet. If Clark was potty trained, then this wouldn’t even be allowed. There is concern about spreading outside bacteria by steam (shower) or having him touching the toilet (if he was potty trained). Beth will have access to a shared shower room that is on the floor.
The most dangerous area in Clark’s treatment room is the floor. Clark will not be allowed to touch the floor without being on a plastic mat or wearing some type of protective foot gear. If he drops a toy from his crib, it will need to be completely sanitized before being handed back to him. As you might suspect, plastic toys that can be easily doused in disinfectant are preferred to stuffed animals (which have to be washed). Clark loves fire trucks, and action figures that ride in fire trucks, so we think this is a small blessing.
Clark will not be able to eat any home cooked food. It will either need to be made by the hospital, or in a sealed package (Larbar is a good example). After opening a food item, it will have to be eaten or thrown away within 2 hours. Bethany can bring her meals into the anti room, but not into Clark’s room. This includes drinking water as well. There can be no risk of Clark reaching for someone else’s food, and being exposed to foreign bacteria.
The plan of action, looks to be that Beth and I will switch off staying with Clark. Beth will stay Sunday to Friday, and I will cover Friday to Sunday. That way both Connor and Clark can see both of us over time.
The facilities overall are very nice. They have many areas designed to allow people of all ages to decompress and de-stress.