Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

My 18-year-old son is going to go through transplant.  I just wonder if there is anything I should know or prepare for that the docs seem to forget to tell you.  I had one nurse tell me that BMT is actually better than oncology because it is a "more organized chaos"  in other words, a bit more predictable of what is going to happen,  How does it differ from recovery of regular chemo.  That seems bad enough?

On 4/22/2008 Adamsmom wrote:

My 18-year-old son is going to go through transplant.  I just wonder if there is anything I should know or prepare for that the docs seem to forget to tell you.  I had one nurse tell me that BMT is actually better than oncology because it is a "more organized chaos"  in other words, a bit more predictable of what is going to happen,  How does it differ from recovery of regular chemo.  That seems bad enough?

Dont worry the transplant is a breeze conpared to the chemo, there is an odd thing that happens and thats when you will get a strange taste in  your mouth, mine was oysters, Iswear it tasted like I was having a plate of raw oysters. I never had a problem with mouth sores, my food intak improved 100% compared to chemo. This is my one year fouth month since Ive had my trans plant, beside some back pain Im doing great. best of luck, I was going to sat dont worry, but your the mom, and thats your job. peace be unto you jack barry,soryy about the spelling ,but im trying to manage a battle between my 11 year old son and my9 year old daughter

On 4/24/2008 jacklloyd wrote:

 

On 4/22/2008 Adamsmom wrote:

My 18-year-old son is going to go through transplant.  I just wonder if there is anything I should know or prepare for that the docs seem to forget to tell you.  I had one nurse tell me that BMT is actually better than oncology because it is a "more organized chaos"  in other words, a bit more predictable of what is going to happen,  How does it differ from recovery of regular chemo.  That seems bad enough?

Dont worry the transplant is a breeze conpared to the chemo, there is an odd thing that happens and thats when you will get a strange taste in  your mouth, mine was oysters, Iswear it tasted like I was having a plate of raw oysters. I never had a problem with mouth sores, my food intak improved 100% compared to chemo. This is my one year fouth month since Ive had my trans plant, beside some back pain Im doing great. best of luck, I was going to sat dont worry, but your the mom, and thats your job. peace be unto you jack barry,soryy about the spelling ,but im trying to manage a battle between my 11 year old son and my9 year old daughter

I just went through my stem cell transplant and kemo months ago.  2 1/2 years ago was my first. Keep in mind I'm 61 years old now. It was very difficult the first time. Fevers, sleeping, weak, and terrible diarrhea.

It wasn't much better this time, the diarrhea was out of control and my muscles are very weak. Your son has an advantage being young. I'm sure he will recoup his strength at lot faster than I did.

One thing I've learned is the nurses can be angels and far better than anyone including the doctors when you are being cared for.

good luck ***** ******

On 4/25/2008 wendylu wrote:

 

On 4/24/2008 jacklloyd wrote:

 

On 4/22/2008 Adamsmom wrote:

My 18-year-old son is going to go through transplant.  I just wonder if there is anything I should know or prepare for that the docs seem to forget to tell you.  I had one nurse tell me that BMT is actually better than oncology because it is a "more organized chaos"  in other words, a bit more predictable of what is going to happen,  How does it differ from recovery of regular chemo.  That seems bad enough?

Dont worry the transplant is a breeze conpared to the chemo, there is an odd thing that happens and thats when you will get a strange taste in  your mouth, mine was oysters, Iswear it tasted like I was having a plate of raw oysters. I never had a problem with mouth sores, my food intak improved 100% compared to chemo. This is my one year fouth month since Ive had my trans plant, beside some back pain Im doing great. best of luck, I was going to sat dont worry, but your the mom, and thats your job. peace be unto you jack barry,soryy about the spelling ,but im trying to manage a battle between my 11 year old son and my9 year old daughter

I just went through my stem cell transplant and kemo months ago.  2 1/2 years ago was my first. Keep in mind I'm 61 years old now. It was very difficult the first time. Fevers, sleeping, weak, and terrible diarrhea.

It wasn't much better this time, the diarrhea was out of control and my muscles are very weak. Your son has an advantage being young. I'm sure he will recoup his strength at lot faster than I did.

One thing I've learned is the nurses can be angels and far better than anyone including the doctors when you are being cared for.

good luck ***** ******

 

I had a diagnosis of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2001 and had chemotherapy. I had good days and bad days. I was not able to work because I am a nurse and could not be around sick people. I could continue to go to college. I was an LPN going for my RN. After 6 months I returned to work part time and continued my education. I had mouth sores the first round of chemo but learned to pack my mouth with ice for future treatments and all went well. The Autologous Stem Cell Transplant was much worse for me. No one had told me what to expect. They just gave me my odds of survival and told me my choices were "Life or Death". So I did it. It is now 2 years later and I am doing great, By the way, I am 50 now. Receiving my stem cells back was painful in my chest and I vomited immediately. The stem cells come right out of the freezer and are put through a machine to thaw them, but they are extremely cold. The preservative they preserve them in can make a person vomit, but I didn't know it would be that fast. I had a lot of nausea and vomiting and diarrhea for 30 days. I lost 20 pounds at the hospital and 10 more at home. I then got additional sickness at home and lost another 12 pounds. I am all over that now and have gained the weight I wanted to gain. I had a lot of nausea and meds for that. I knew what was going on as it was going on, but after I returned home from the hospital, I had very little memory for what went on there. My husband was there for me as you will be there for your son. He observed a bad rash on my back and brought it to the attention of the doctor and nurses (I was allergic to an antibiotic that they did not notice). My family was there a lot. I don't like to be alone and they were great to be there.Even though I don't remember what I did then, I am very appreciative for them being there when I needed them. I got home and had tons of cards which people had sent to me that I don't even remember receiving, even though my Sister-In-Law read them to me every day! Your son should do well because he is 18 years old. That is a great age to have to have this if you have to have it. It is worse on the patient the older they are. I am thankful I am not any older than I am, but I am going to live a lot longer than I would have. When I returned home, I could only eat very little,like 1/2 bowl of soup OR 1/2 sandwich and it would take me 90 minutes to eat either. I looked awful, I felt awful, I was very weak and needed help. But today I tell my patients that I would do it all again if I needed to. I have too much to live for. I have a great family including but not limited to my Granddaughter to live for and to enjoy. The good thing that comes out of surviving cancer is that I don't take one day or one minute for granted. Your son will learn this lesson very early in life. By the way, I expect they have discussed this with you, but I don't know who you are dealing with. The BMT could very likely eliminate his ability to become a father unless you bank his sperm. Very important!!! I will close now. I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Just remember he is young and I expect him to recover very well, but it is not an easy road for anybody.

God Bless You and Your Son :)