Mm What Happens If They Only Get Enough Stem Cells For One Transplant?

Hi,

(Another question from Kera,my mom has MM)

My mom had her stem cells harvested & they were only able to collect enough stem cells for one transplant. "God forbid",if she ever needs another transplant,what do they do? Do they try to collect from her again? OR... Do they test family & friends?
Kera H Winnipeg,Manitoba

So, the specific protocol that each hospital follows will dictate what they would do in the event of relapse. I have seen a friend have 2 stem cell transplants from his own harvest, and one BMT from an out side donor, the problem with that was that he developed Graph Vs. Host or GVH which means his body rejected the marrow and the way that it did this was to burn through everyone of the internal organs, and there is no way to stop this so what ever organ function he was left with was just that, and he now requires heart medications for the rest of his life as well as dialysis. This does not always happen but it is possible with the outside donor, so if it comes to that and we are going to be the eternal optiomist and say that it wont, but if it does then looking with in the family is the best idea for a match. Take care and God Bless Shawna wife of husband batteling cancer