Questions

My brother was diagnoised with mantel cell lymphoma in Oct., he is only 45,and I have read it occurs in men over 60.  My brother has just finished 4 rounds of hard chemo and is scheduled to start the stem cell transplant in Charleston, SC, next week.  We got news today that his heart is at 40% and also he has CMV virus from a blood transfusion he had to have a week after his last chemo.  I live in California, my husband is military, just had to let you know why I am not there.  I talked with my mom tonight and she gave me this news, I have not talked with my brother today, but I am so concerned at what this means.  They are saying he can not go through the first chemo that he has to have before the stem cell translplant until his heart is able to take it and the virus is under control.  Does anyone have any info on this.  Thanks for your help.

Basically a stem cell transplant totally wipes out your immune system.  They harvest your stem cells so that they can "rebuild" your immune system after they knock it out with a massive dose of chemo.  For about two to three days while they are waiting for the chemo to clear out of your system you have no real immune system.  After that time they infuse the stem cells back into you and they should rebuild your immune system.  During this time a patient is highly susceptible to any viruses and bacteria. 

My PC cut off.  I don't know where you got the info about Mantle cell hitting people at 60.  I was diagnosed at 42 and most people I know pretty much in that same age frame, 41 to 45.  I have personally gone through a Stem Cell transplant and though physically it was not that hard, mentally it can be a real drain.  They pretty much lock you up for 3 weeks.  I was so glad to get out of that room! 

When I say physically it was not that hard I mean the time in the hospital.  Recovery from the treatment itself took a long time, about six months.