Stem Cell Transplants

Hi,

I'm a 37 yo with stage 3 diffuse b-cell non-hodgkins lymphoma.  I just got the results of my first CT/PET scan since being declared "in remission," 3 months ago and I now have 2 lymph nodes that are 2cm in size.  My oncologist is recommending a bone marrow transplant as the 8 rounds of R-CHOP did not kill everything.  Can someone please tell me what to expect?  I'm one of those type A personalities that doesn't like surprises and would rather know the worst case scenario then not.  I'm also concerned about being in the hospital.  Any tips would be great as my husband and I want to prepare for this as much as we can.

Hi,

I saw your post and although I don't have an answer for you, you have been a godsend for me as far as explaining your journey. I am also stage 3 dbcl and had my first r-chop treatment yesterday. It went well but very long as they had to stop the Rituxin for the very same reasons you described. I knew what to expect so it wasn't as scary as it could have been. My prayers and best wishes are for you and yours to come thru this next phase with flying colors.

One question though, when you were initially staged did they do a marrow extraction. Just curious as they did one on me and it came back clear. I'm wondering if in your case you were clear to start and it migrated during chemo, or if it was there to start and they were hoping the chemo would take care of it?

God bless you

Lori

Hi Lori,

I'm glad I could help and that the first treatment went as well as it did.  I really do believe that knowing what potentially lies ahead helps managed expectations.

I did have a bone marrow aspiration prior to my chemo treatment and it came back clear.  My oncologist has referred me to a bone marrow oncologist, (who I will be seeing tomorrow) to see if I would be a good candidate for the transplant.  I just still can't believe 8 rounds of R-CHOP didn't get everything.  Of course, I am stubborn person, so I guess it is reasonable to think that my own cancerous lymph nodes would be pesky enough to keep "holding on." 

-e

Well, keep being stubborn. Hope that your appointment goes well and that they can knock this thing out of the park for you. The oncologist that did my bone marrow aspiration,(he actually filled in for my regular gal who had a family emergency) said that this particular cancer DLBCL was the best one to have because the cure rate was extremely high. So I'm going to take him at his word and know that you will come through this next stage with flying colors. Stay strong girl!

Hi

Have they found a match in your family for the stem cell transplant or are they going to use your own cells?

Myself would one day need to have this transplant , but at the moment i have my sister as a good match.

I feel fine at the moment, so i am on wait and watch, but the onc are considering R-CVP chemo

Dave

Hey, I'm a 30 yo woman with follicular NHL stage 2.  Have not gone for staging yet, but oncologist is thinking stage IV.  Other than enlarged lymph nodes i am symptom free and plan is watch and wait for now.

i'm replying to your post because in 1993 (i was 14) i was diagnosed with leukemia (AML) and had chemo, went into remission for four years then relapsed in 1997.  At that time i had a bone marrow transplant which put me in remission until this lymphoma (12 and a half years).

i know things have changed a lot since my BMT and probably gotten easier in a lot of ways.  it was not an easy time, probably the hardest thing physically i've ever been through, but worth the last 12 and half healthy years i've had.  be strong and don't ever give up!

i am considering going to a clinic in germany that combines both naturopathic and conventional treatments.  i'm not a watch and wait kind of person :)

be strong and keep us posted!

What a bone marrow/stem cell transplant feels like:

I found this when I searched. It was suggested to me several times that I have one, but I politely refused each time.

http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/medicine/bonemarrow/bmtinfo

i would have to say that's an accurate overview on what it feels like.  not sure what has changed over the last 12 years though.

Hi David,

Sadly, none of my siblings are a match.  I have 3 siblings, 2 of which share the same blood type as me and unfortunately there isn't a match.  The doctors are hoping that I can be my own donor but, we won't know that until after the physical evaluation period and they start the harvest.  I'm really hoping that we won't have to go the anonymous donor route so that we don't have to worry about the GVHD.

Take Care,

Eileen