Kevin
Yes, it sure is a small world. The care at HUOP is excellent. The nursing staff is wonderful, very attentive and really try to make you as comfortable as possible. Is your doctor Edward Stadmauer? You should have a private room with a small refrigerator/freezer. I took some frozen meals, snacks and juices as the food there is beyond horrible. I asked them not to even bring a tray into room as the smell would make me sick. When your stomach is upset it helps having some of your own comfort foods. I really couldn't eat for about a week after the chemo but the nurses kept me stocked with insure drinks.
Mouth sores, I really didn't have much problems with. They will give you a mouthwash to rinse with when you check in. I used it every time I went into the bathroom and had no problems with mouth sore at all.
Yes I had a central line which I came home with because my veins are shot from all the picking they have done over the years. I had breast cancer in 2000 so the can only pick on my right arm. Keeping the line made it easy for all the blood work. Unfortunately, I developed a double septic shock with the line and had to have it removed 2 weeks after I can home from the transplant.
I think the worse of the transplant is when they are giving your cells back you may have rigger. I was so cold and my body went into fits of shaking. It is very uncomfortable, no matter how many blankets they use you just can't get warm. My body shook so bad I was sore for 2 days afterwards. The best advice I can give you is that try to remember it won't last that long. Mine lasted for about 30-40 mins.
My M spike was 12.8 at the time of the transplant (August 1st) and my IGG Kappa was 4.3 In mid Sept my M was 9.9 and IGG Kappa was 3.5. The doctors tell me slow steady decrease in these numbers are the best.
I see no reason why you shouldn't take a doll house or something of interest to work on. The last 10 days of your stay will be basically resting time. You could have something to do in between naps. I also took a lot of movies to watch on the computer anything to make time pass.
I hope this helps. Good luck and please let me know how things are going.
Take care
Brenda