This morning, I started my day in the stem cell lab, watching the thawing of MSCs (Mesenchymal stem cells) for a trial that the department is currently doing. The thawing took around thirty minutes, although the actual work with the cells only took around 15 minutes. I learned that after testing the sample for viability and number of cells, multiple signatures were required to allow for it to be infused into the patient. These cells did not take as much time to thaw as the cord blood cells because they only require dilution before being ready for infusion.
In the afternoon, I shadowed Dr. Kurtzberg in the outpatient clinic. Most of the patients were here for follow-ups and a couple had been transplanted many years ago. It was wonderful seeing Dr. K interacting with her patients, many of them who now have had her as a doctor for many years. The check-ups mostly involved asking patients questions about their latest concerns. I learned that asking the right questions to get the answers that a doctor needs is very important. While today was my last day in the clinic, I will be able to learn more about the more technical side of medicine in the next two days.