After spending 3 weeks in the hospital for an autologous stem cell transplant (procedure in which blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) are removed, stored, and later given back to the same person), Hector aka Atabal is back at home. Counting down the 100 days after the transplant is part of the process. Rest, lots of healthy eating to get back the weight lost – close to 40 pounds- and tender loving care from friends and family are making the hibernation doable.
What comes next? After the 100 days, if all goes well as we hope, Hector begins a two-year maintenance program with his hematologist that consists of more chemo (revlimid) and other medications. It’s a long and expensive process but we’re hopeful that it will go well and that he will eventually be able to get back to what he likes, playing and talking about music. Heck, maybe he’ll even write another book!
Hector presents his book on Arsenio Rodriguez last year as part of Cuba Disco.
