Stem Cell Transplant

I will be undergoing autologous stem cell transplant and chemo therpy within the next thirty days at Audie Murphy V.A. in San Antone. I live alone and am self-employed with only my son and one good friend who have volunteered to help me during this process. I get mixed answers from the staff at the V.A. Hospital in Dallas as to how long someone will be required to stay with me while undergoing treatment.

Also, can someone tell me how long I wil be nauseated following chemo and how long of a stay can I expect before being released to go home and return to normal activity?

Thank You 

Good Evening Harley;

I get mixed answers from the staff at the V.A. Hospital in Dallas as to how long someone will be required to stay with me while undergoing treatment.

The actual Tx. does not require anyone but hospital staff. Afterwards, if you're an inpatient, no one but staff is needed. An O.P. will require someone to draw blood, wake you to take your meds, assist you when the chemo kicks in. 

Also, can someone tell me how long I will be nauseated following chemo and how long of a stay can I expect before being released to go home and return to normal activity?

Approx. 1 week after the SCT the chemo hits you. that's when the "fun" starts. Don't be a hero, take the meds to combat the side effects. How long they last is individual to each person. A big concern of the Drs. is the risk of infection due to all your immune defenses being killed off. Keep your environment clean and all that enter it. Especially those taking care of you. You will be released to go home after your blood counts rise to a "normal level", especially your white blood cells. As far as "returning to normal activity" I was D.C. on 4/3/08 and it's only been the last 2 weeks where I don't have to take a nap during the day. My strength and stamina are returning, but I am far from back to my normal activity. As a lovely lady once told: "Listen to your body, give it the rest it needs".(Right,Cath?)

If you go back into the archives around 3/26/08 or so, you can review my "diary" of my SCT. I tried to detail as much of it as possible as it seems like a very long time ago. Go in positive and focused and you should do fine! I'm certain if you survived basic training you will do well. Remember what you learned there.

Good luck and take care;

Kevin

Good Evening (Again) Harley;

Subject: EVERYONE'S ASSISTANCE
Date: 03/16/2008

This is the site I mentioned in my first response regarding my SCT. Page 2 should answer most of your questions.

Take care;

Kevin

HarleyNightrain,

With my first transplant, I received my Stem cells on 8 Feb 08 and begain grafting on 18 Feb.  I had some bad stomach cramps and a staph infection.  Aside from that, it wasn't as bad as I had expected.  I spent the majority of the time outpatient....that's the way the Huntsman does it. 

I received my second transplant of Stem Cells 9 May 08 and I'm currently waiting for grafting.  Again, I'm outpatient.  This time around my stomach has been a bit more weak, but nothing too crazy...just take the pills. 

The induction chemo has a lot to do with how sick you may or may not get as well.  My first transplant was melphaln+velcade.  Second transplant BCNU, Gemzar, Melphalan, and velcade.

Your caregivers have your six and you'll be fine.  As for getting back to normal, with my first transplant, I took Feb and Mar to recover and began hitting the mountain trails and roads 1 Apr for roughly 4-7 mile walks. 

Try to walk during the transplant process...we went for 50mins today.  It will speedup your recovery time and make you and your caregivers feel better.

Good luck to you...and me since I'm only a week into number two  ;-)

Peace

Doug

Dear Harley,

How well you do after transplant may depend on your age, your activity level now (do you bike, walk, etc. regularly) your outlook  (positive, yes!)

 I had my sct at the age of 61 and had not been very active due to 2 yrs. on steroids and other meds.  If you are staying in a hospital, you won't need someone with you much of the time.  If you are treated op, you will probably need someone to take you to and from facility and to help you get settled daily once you get back home.  In my op experience, I was in "clinic" about 4 to 5 hours daily.  This  routine  lasted about 4 weeks.  I developed congestive heart failure symptoms (which cleared up before d/c.)  Had to have a blood transfusion one day, ran high fever one night, and slept/felt lousy most of the time. Developed a cough that didn't go away for several months (lungs clear.)You probably won't feel like eating much or at all.  You will probably have nausea and "the runs" so take your medicine to help that regularly.  Don't wait until you experience symptoms.  You will feel cold much of the time.  Buy some hair covers (soft turban type) to wear.  Check with VA or a local hospital to see if head gear is available.  A soft, warm robe after your shower will feel great even in summer.  (I was in Dallas in May-early June).   I didn't feel like my old self for about seven months.  Will be praying for you.