Perhaps the title of this post is overstating it a bit, but, having just gone through the stem cell harvest process this week, I thought that it might be helpful for those about to do the same, or coinsidering autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), to hear what harvest was like from someone who has just experienced it.
I am scheduled for high dose chemo and ASCT on January 27 and January 28, respectively, at Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania. So this past Sunday I began the harvest process.
Sunday was Neupogen shots. Before I went to the infusion center I took generic Claritin (loratadine). I had no immediate bone pain. Monday the process repeated: Claritin and Neupogen. Was a little achy but nothing out of the ordinary; the lesion in my rib was giving me some pain so I took some Tyenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol). Tuesday was the same; Claritin, Neupogen and a little Tylenol.
Wednesday was more challenging. I took the Claritin but reported early for placement of the central line catheter. The staff was pleasant and professional but after all they are cutting two holes and connecting tubes to your veins. So there was some discomfort. Had to return later in he day for Neupogen and Mozobil.
Haven't heard much about Mozobil side effects but I know diarrhea is one and they advised me to take two Immodium before coming in for the shot. Let's say it's something to aware of. By the time we got home I was heading to the bathroom despite the Immodium. I took one more and had a couple more trips to the bathroom but then it settled down. I mention this in case you have a longer trip home or to wherever you are staying after mobilization shots.
Thursday (yesterday) was harvest day. I am guessing that various centers have different procedures although they are basically the same in that you are hooked up to a machine that draws your blood, separates out white cells and a little bit of plasma, and returns it to your body. But some parts of the experience were unexpected.
For example, they do not count the stem cells as they go; they collect for a defined period of time, in my case approximately 5 hours, and do an analysis afterwards to see if they got enough. That process takes as long as 4 hours, so you can leave the center and wait for a call to see if you have to return later in the day for more Neupogen / Mozobil and another collection day.
I was also surprised that a nurse was assigned to me for the entire time I was there and essentially never left my side. They are also very careful to monitor your calcium and potassium levels and add drips if necessary. I saw 3 doctors during my time there and was impressed with the level of care.
It was certainly a long day but I felt lucky that I got the call with the report that the collection was successful and I do not have to return today. So I have 3 days to relax and prepare for the fun next week.
This post is lengthy so I will stop here but feel free to ask questions.
Forums
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
It sounds like you went in to the infusion center for your Neupogen shots. I did my own Neupogen injections at home for about 10 days before going in to the harvesting center to be evaluated to see if I had enough stem cells circulating to begin the harvest.
The next day I had a central line placed and then headed up to the harvesting center to begin the harvest. Thankfully they collected enough cells in the one day for me, too.
Good luck next week with your chemo and then transplant,
Nancy in Phila
The next day I had a central line placed and then headed up to the harvesting center to begin the harvest. Thankfully they collected enough cells in the one day for me, too.
Good luck next week with your chemo and then transplant,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
Thanks for your post. I will be going through this soon I hope and any information I can gather is appreciated. This website is awesome and has been very helpful for me.
Best wishes for you.
Best wishes for you.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
My experience was similar. The nurse supervising the draw had another patient right next to me. I only had 3 shots, but my pain, in the pelvis, femurs and breastbone, were very uncomfortable, but I took Vicodin in the evening which is the only time it came on. I also had test everyday except up to the day they drew the stem cells.
I too got out with one draw, but I was told to prepare to stay five days to complete the procedure if necessary.
I had my SCT in St Louis and there is little difference between our prep and I wonder if that is always the case?
I too got out with one draw, but I was told to prepare to stay five days to complete the procedure if necessary.
I had my SCT in St Louis and there is little difference between our prep and I wonder if that is always the case?
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
I was lucky and did not have to have a central line placed. A very large IV line in the left arm, and a very small in line in my right hand. I also prepared for 5 days and finished the collection in 1. That was back in 2012. I have yet to have the transplant due to CHF early on in my treatment but I have achieved a zero M spike with 6 rounds of VRD and Revlimid maintenance ever since.
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Robin
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
Thanks Goldmine. Good update. I start next week. Interesting ... I was eligible for IV harvest and chose central line instead. Figured I had to have a port anyway for melphalan, so I might as well. Hope this proves to be a sensible choice. Best of luck going forward,
Wesley
Wesley
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wesley - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
Your scenario sounds very similar to mine as well.
My transplant center was 3 hours from home, so my husband was going to learn to give my Neupogen shots. Then we found out how much it would cost to get them from the pharmacy rather than have them done at the infusion center. So we stayed in town and I had the shots from Friday to Monday. Had my central line placed that Friday.
Monday morning they drew labs to determine if there were enough stem cells to even begin a harvest. Even though my number were just shy of what they needed (10 million) they performed a partial harvest on day one 4-5 hours. I returned at 6 to get a shot of Mozobil as well. Diarrhea! I found out months later just how much that one shot cost. But it sure did the trick to mobilize those little stem cells! Had 32 million the next day, so harvesting was successful and after a 5-6 hour attachment, I had plenty, enough for two transplants.
As for the harvesting itself, it wasn't bad at all. Had to stay in bed for 4-5 hours while attached to the apheresis machine. My nurse was the best. He was right there the whole time making sure things went perfectly. Professional and very intelligent as well. The worst part was having to use a bedpan. ( I just couldn't hold it anymore!
)
I had only one transplant the following week and had a longer than usual hospital stay because I had nausea and vomiting, little appetite and a c-diff infection too. But don't worry because nausea was a big problem for me all through the induction period with VDT-PACE too. So I was prone to have that problem from the get go. I still have frozen stem cells in Detroit should I need them in the future.
I have been in a stringent CR for a year now. Taking Revlimid to try and keep me there as long as possible! Just finished my immunizations (no live vaccine) and am re-entering the workforce as a nurse.
Blessings on your transplants!
My transplant center was 3 hours from home, so my husband was going to learn to give my Neupogen shots. Then we found out how much it would cost to get them from the pharmacy rather than have them done at the infusion center. So we stayed in town and I had the shots from Friday to Monday. Had my central line placed that Friday.
Monday morning they drew labs to determine if there were enough stem cells to even begin a harvest. Even though my number were just shy of what they needed (10 million) they performed a partial harvest on day one 4-5 hours. I returned at 6 to get a shot of Mozobil as well. Diarrhea! I found out months later just how much that one shot cost. But it sure did the trick to mobilize those little stem cells! Had 32 million the next day, so harvesting was successful and after a 5-6 hour attachment, I had plenty, enough for two transplants.
As for the harvesting itself, it wasn't bad at all. Had to stay in bed for 4-5 hours while attached to the apheresis machine. My nurse was the best. He was right there the whole time making sure things went perfectly. Professional and very intelligent as well. The worst part was having to use a bedpan. ( I just couldn't hold it anymore!
)I had only one transplant the following week and had a longer than usual hospital stay because I had nausea and vomiting, little appetite and a c-diff infection too. But don't worry because nausea was a big problem for me all through the induction period with VDT-PACE too. So I was prone to have that problem from the get go. I still have frozen stem cells in Detroit should I need them in the future.
I have been in a stringent CR for a year now. Taking Revlimid to try and keep me there as long as possible! Just finished my immunizations (no live vaccine) and am re-entering the workforce as a nurse.
Blessings on your transplants!
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
I had the stem cells harvested and frozen in February at Weill Cornell. A friend was over and gave me the Nueprogen shots for 5 days before the harvest. She's an ex nurse so that made it easier. A little pain the first night but not bad.
At the hospital, I was hooked up to the machine for about 5-6 hours. Quite comfortable but had to be very careful not too move my arm too much during the process. Watched TV,read a book and watched a movie on my nook. Towards the end, I started to get an urge to go to the bathroom and the bedpan was rather difficult to use with one arm. But I managed. All in all, a relatively smooth process. They collected enough for two transplants so I was very happy. And the folks at Weill Cornell were great during the whole process. I haven't had the STC transplant yet but probably will some time later this year. Hoping that goes as smoothly as the Harvest did.
At the hospital, I was hooked up to the machine for about 5-6 hours. Quite comfortable but had to be very careful not too move my arm too much during the process. Watched TV,read a book and watched a movie on my nook. Towards the end, I started to get an urge to go to the bathroom and the bedpan was rather difficult to use with one arm. But I managed. All in all, a relatively smooth process. They collected enough for two transplants so I was very happy. And the folks at Weill Cornell were great during the whole process. I haven't had the STC transplant yet but probably will some time later this year. Hoping that goes as smoothly as the Harvest did.
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kevin from li - Name: kevin form li
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
One thing I find a bit confusing is when I read about the numbers of stem cells harvested. My doc said they shoot for 5 million and use 2 million for a transplant so there are enough for two. In my case they got 5.5 million so I was done. And yet I hear others talk about harvesting 8, 9 or 10 million. Not sure why there is such a discrepancy or whether there are different counting methods.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stem Cell Harvest - The Complete Guide
My stem cells were harvested to be frozen in case I need a transplant in the future. I gave myself the Neupogen injections for the five nights prior to the day of the harvesting. The day before I did not have enough cells, so I also gave myself an injection of Mozobil, as well, which did the trick. I had enough stem cells for two future transplants, if needed.
I had some bone pain in my pelvis and thighs, and while I was given pain medication, regular dosing of extra strength Tylenol was sufficient. I did have trouble with diarrhea within twenty minutes of the Mozobil so taking Imodium before hand might be a good idea.
While I had a PICC line, it cannot be used for harvesting, so the morning of I had catheters put in my jugular. It worked well though it sounds awful.
I had my own nurse who was with me all day: if she needed to step away someone else covered for her. I found the process pretty fascinating! They got enough cells in in one day, but it was a long day and quite tired that evening and the next day. Blood counts will likely be crazy the day after but "Normalize" fairly quickly.
I had some bone pain in my pelvis and thighs, and while I was given pain medication, regular dosing of extra strength Tylenol was sufficient. I did have trouble with diarrhea within twenty minutes of the Mozobil so taking Imodium before hand might be a good idea.
While I had a PICC line, it cannot be used for harvesting, so the morning of I had catheters put in my jugular. It worked well though it sounds awful.
I had my own nurse who was with me all day: if she needed to step away someone else covered for her. I found the process pretty fascinating! They got enough cells in in one day, but it was a long day and quite tired that evening and the next day. Blood counts will likely be crazy the day after but "Normalize" fairly quickly.
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Jmdluv2cook
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