Gaurav started undergoing pre-transplant tests by end of last month. He was moved to the BMT room on 2-Oct and was given high dose of Chemo-therapy for next 2 days. This was followed by total body radiation (TBR) for next 3 days. The purpose of Chemo and TBR was to ensure that there are no cancerous cells left in the body. Also, this completely destroyed the cancerous bone marrow.

As Gaurav was going through pre-transplant procedures, simultaneously the identified donor also went through a series of steps to donate his stem cells. The stem cells were carried in person from Italy to Vellore. These reached Vellore on the morning of 7-Oct. The doctors immediately proceeded for transplant at 6.30PM on 7-Oct.

Gaurav has tremendous physical weakness (however the spirit is high!) at present. Also, the body immunity is close to zero. He needs to guard himself against smallest possible infection. For this, he has been kept in isolated and super-clean BMT room. No person except his wife is allowed entry in this room. His wife is also also allowed only for 2 hours during the day.

The blood counts should start coming up in another couple of weeks. Once this starts, his body immunity will start building up again. And slowly, the possibility of him catching infection will start diminishing.

The doctors claim 90 day post transplant period to be critical. Once Gaurav passes through this period, he should be safe. He needs your prayers during this period.

Your prayers have helped him till now. Please keep Gaurav in your prayers for few more days.