[Aclinkboca]

AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Aclinkboca on Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:54 pm

I have seen many members post about their experiences with the autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) experience. I have appreciated reading all the posts in preparation for my transplant coming up in the next two weeks. I plan to post about my experiences because, like most of us when we were diagnosed, it was a huge shock emotionally.

I believe that reading the posts and knowing what to expect provides comfort to others, just as the posts I read provided comfort to know and understand what will happen.

This week I had my port placed in my neck/chest and then I had 10 million stem cells harvested on the first day. I had very little complications except soreness from the catheter placement and I had no complications on the harvesting.

I am now home waiting for the week or two after the harvesting to go by so I can start the main event at Sylvester Cancer Center at University of Miama. I hope to be able to share my experiences on the forum every day once I start the process – both for myself to take my mind away for a little everyday, and for others to know about what will happen.

Anybody like KarenD that is going through the stem cell transplant right now, I wish you the best of luck in your ongoing recovery and I am now truly looking forward to going through the ASCT in hopes of providing me the best opportunity to live as full of a life as possible.


AC

[Beacon Staff]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Beacon Staff on Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:55 pm

Thank you, AC, for volunteering to share your husband's stem cell transplant experience with members of the Beacon community. We hope the transplant process is a smooth and un­event­ful one for you.

For others reading this who may be new to the Beacon forum, you should know that there are many other forum threads like this one, describing the stem cell transplant experiences of other Beacon community members. There is a list of these "transplant journal" threads at the end of this Beacon forum posting:

"Useful links to existing forum discussions"

in the section labeled

"Stem Cell Transplant Experiences of Beacon Forum Members"

Note that this "Useful links" posting is always listed as the first discussion thread in the "Treat­ments & Side Effects" section of the forum.

There also is a link to the "Useful links" posting in the sidebar that appears on every page of the forum. It's the last link in the part of the sidebar titled "Forum Discussions - View By Specific Subject".

[Mark Pouley]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Mark Pouley on Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:21 pm

Best of luck to you. I'll be reading with interest. I don't have a firm date, but it appears my stem cell transplant will be mid-June. I also hope to share my experience, and there can't be too much information shared here. It's so obvious we all have such different stories to tell, but I've found that fact calming and it helps me remember I'm me and this journey is mine.

[loveparis]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by loveparis on Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:57 pm

I'll be reading your posts with great interest as you go through your transplant. I am just starting my pre testing in preparation for ASCT In early June. Even though our stories are all a little different our goals are the same. I wish you the best and look forward to reading your posts.

[dogmom]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by dogmom on Sun May 01, 2016 8:28 pm

AC, my husband will go in for his ASCT on June 1st. He has just completed induction chemo and we go tomorrow for pre-test x-rays, scans, PFT, etc. with his port placement on the 19th and harvesting starting on the following Monday. I hope he has as good a harvest as you!

Did the Neupogen injections make you feel achy much? I plan on posting his journey as well under the Dear Hubby's Transplant Saga thread I have it started. I will so want to keep up with you!

Good luck!

[Aclinkboca]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Aclinkboca on Sun May 01, 2016 9:42 pm

Cathy,

The Neupogen injections made me ache but nothing too severe. The injection part too is very easy because the needle is really small. The only real day I felt the Neupogen was on the day I had the catheter placed.

For what it's worth on the stem cell harvesting, the nurses attending to me told me that one of the reasons they were able to harvest the amount of cells was because I had stayed in shape since January after I recovered from my L3 90% compression surgery on Christmas eve.

I was told by my doctor back then that the better I stayed in shape, the better the stem cell process would go for me. The only thing I did from January to now is walk and keep walking as much as possible. For anyone, whether you are newly diagnosed or about to undergo the stem cell transplant, walking is very important.

I wish your husband all the best in his stem cell harvesting and transplant.

AC

[dogmom]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by dogmom on Mon May 02, 2016 9:49 am

OH AC! I am so glad to hear that. My husband has worked every day but treatment day the whole four months. Rode a stationary bike and tended to our small 36 acre farm with a few cattle, did lawn work, etc (all while wearing a mask, I will add). He has stayed very active due to the fact he had no real side effects form the induction chemo but to feel MUCH better! Hope this will help his harvest numbers.

[nanaofbkma]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by nanaofbkma on Tue May 03, 2016 7:28 am

I wish the best to all who are getting ready for transplant. I know it can be a little scary, the unknown.

I am my husband's caregiver and I am happy to say he was very fortunate to have great success. One thing I have not seen mentioned on here, or I have missed, is cryotherapy for the mouth and throat. My husband was told after being given his high dose chemo to continually suck on ice for the first 24 hours afterwards. My understanding it freezes those cells in mouth and throat, helping to eliminate mouth and throat sores. And he never got a one! He was treated at the Cleveland Clinic. Wonderful care.

Just hope this helps thoughts and prayers to all.

[Aclinkboca]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Aclinkboca on Tue May 03, 2016 12:48 pm

Thank you for the information on the ice. That's what a lot of patients have said. I even have my favorite place in Boca Raton that makes the pellet ice and I hope to be able to bring it to the hospital to eat during the melphalan.

It's official too. I received news from Sylvester / University of Miami that I will be admitted on May 10th at 10 a.m. and they will start the melphalan that day. That means that the 12th should be my new birthday. I am sure my little stem cells will be ready to get back into my warm body by then.

AC

[Gala]

Re: AC's stem cell transplant in South Florida

by Gala on Tue May 03, 2016 6:33 pm

Hi AC,

I wish you all the best with your transplant! Will you be posting updates in this topic? I would like to follow your progress. My daughter and I were in Boca recently. It's a small world.