"Glasgow Clinical Apheresis Unit Care and Support"

In mid August I attended the unit for stem cell collection for an autologous stem cell transplant I’ll be having in the coming weeks. 

I’d already been for my assessment on the 3rd and was well informed and fully prepared for what was going to be happening.

Unfortunately the first day didn’t go to plan despite the best efforts of several members of the team, Kenya, Rowan and Angela, my veins just did not want to cooperate, so eventually the team in consultation with Sanjay came up with a new plan to have me attend the QEUH the following day to have a line inserted to allow the collection to take place. 

I was understandably upset and disappointed, primarily with myself as I’ve tried to keep my chin up despite the health challenges I’ve faced in the past few months. The team really rallied round me, explaining that these things just happen sometimes and wasn’t anything that I could have done or controlled to get a different outcome that day. 

The thought of a central line was more than a little frightening but the team again all took the time to explain what would happen and how it would help. 

Transport was arranged to ensure I’d be at the QEUH on time the next day. I was collected after the procedure and escorted back to the Apheresis unit, hooked up to the machine and we were off and running. 

Spending several hours in a place you really get a sense of the culture, the leadership and the relationships between the team. What an incredible unit this is. Colleagues supporting each other, providing suggestions, advice and input. People not even directly involved in my care hands on, would stop to chat, check in on me and provide progress updates. Throughout my time on the unit, I felt safe, comfortable and incredibly welcome and supported. I was extremely well looked after and am extremely grateful to have met the team and been in their care. 

Unfortunately issues with the processing in Glasgow meant my stem cells needed to go to Edinburgh but the cell count wouldn’t be available until a couple of hours after the unit closed, so an overnight stay was arranged on a ward, just in case the count was low and I needed to be hooked up again on the Wednesday. I was escorted up to the ward by two of the team, Angela and Holly who made sure that the ward were aware of the plan for me. I was delighted when the call came through that enough cells had been collected and my transplant would be possible. 

The next day it was back to the unit again to have the line removed. The whole process was explained, I was given information about wound care for the next few days and the actual removal was painless. The team also actively sought my feedback on any ideas or suggestions I had, which again just goes to show what a patient centred unit this is. 

Having to have any medical procedure done isn’t something that anyone would want, but if I ever needed treatment at the unit again, I’d be happy to see all the team and be looked after by them. I also know that in the future I’ll also use my experience in conversation with other patients at earlier stages in their journey towards a transplant.

Teams like the Apheresis unit at the Beatson in Glasgow, and all the people who work there show that despite the challenges faced in the NHS, they make the difference. Each and every day they show up for patients like me as we go through some of the hardest times of our lives with their dedication, compassion, kindness, team work, clinical excellence and professionalism.