Hi Chad,
Glad to hear you are doing well. My husband got released on Day +14. Yeah,his white blood cell count jumped up to 2+ on Day +11, but he didn't start making platelets until Day +12 . On Day 13+, he got blood, platelets and they pulled his line. Since he was making platelets on his own they were comfortable giving him some before discharging. He had a doctor's appointment on Day +14 and then released. Now the remaining recovery period continues.
The fun news is that he has to do this all over again. He's getting tandem transplants. So we go back in February to start this over again. I'm glad that we get to be home with our families for Christmas. He's feeling really good. His appetite is back. He still has bouts of diarrhea, but nothing he can handle.
My husband had kidney complications prior to induction and transplant. The induction therapy did not improve his kidney functions, but the transplant helped a little. His creatinine is still high, but his BUN is trending back towards normal. I guess we will see if his creatinine levels start to improve as well. He's avoided dialysis and wants to continue to do so, so we shall see how things progress.
His kappa free light chain levels has reduced to near normal, so his doctor is pleased with the transplant results thus far. He will still continue to have blood work done locally and sent back to continue monitoring his progress.
Forums
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TCG - Name: Tara
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Hi ya Chad.
I'm so pleased things have worked out for you. I'm home now. Have a great Christmas and 2017.
Don't forget if your still visiting London for your city break, let me know, and I promise I will do your tour of London, which will end at Chelsea's home ground.
Be safe.
Regards,
Dean
I'm so pleased things have worked out for you. I'm home now. Have a great Christmas and 2017.
Don't forget if your still visiting London for your city break, let me know, and I promise I will do your tour of London, which will end at Chelsea's home ground.
Be safe.
Regards,
Dean
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Dean UK - Name: Dean
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 41
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Day +39
I can't believe how fast time has gone since my transplant. By Day 25 or so, the nausea and fatigue were almost completely gone. I've been back at work part time for two weeks now! Will start back full time this next week. I'm still avoiding crowds and taking a few other precautions at my doctor's recommendation, but for the most part have resumed normal life. I will be having a bone marrow biopsy at Day +60 to see how well the myeloma responded to the transplant.
My doctor asked me if the transplant was easier or harder than I thought it would be. I told him it was much easier. Although I felt pretty nasty for a week and a half, I was able to get out of bed and go to the hospital every day. By Day +13, I felt pretty good and gradually got stronger from that point forward. I would recommend the transplant to anyone who is contemplating going through one assuming your doctor says it has a good chance of helping slow or stop your disease.
I can't believe how fast time has gone since my transplant. By Day 25 or so, the nausea and fatigue were almost completely gone. I've been back at work part time for two weeks now! Will start back full time this next week. I'm still avoiding crowds and taking a few other precautions at my doctor's recommendation, but for the most part have resumed normal life. I will be having a bone marrow biopsy at Day +60 to see how well the myeloma responded to the transplant.
My doctor asked me if the transplant was easier or harder than I thought it would be. I told him it was much easier. Although I felt pretty nasty for a week and a half, I was able to get out of bed and go to the hospital every day. By Day +13, I felt pretty good and gradually got stronger from that point forward. I would recommend the transplant to anyone who is contemplating going through one assuming your doctor says it has a good chance of helping slow or stop your disease.
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chadsnow - Name: Chad Snow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 19, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Such great news Chad. I'm so happy you had such an easy time of it and you're back to work. Take it easy. Listen to your body.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Hello Chad,
My name is Donna and I live in Bryan, Texas. I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma on my birthday, July 27, 2010. I turned 55 at that time, but this May or June all of that changed when my doctor told me I was at a stage 2-3. My labs did not indicate anything different, but a PET scan determined that I had lesions in my spin and pelvis. I have been in treatment ever since with Velcade, Revlimid and dexamethasone.
Recently my oncologist stopped the Revlimid because I am preparing for a stem cell transplant next month. I met with the stem cell doctor in Houston in November. He is going to use my own stem cells to transplant back into my body. My question to you is: Did you continue the chemo treatment three weeks prior to your stem cell collection?
I am glad that things are going so well for you and that your stem cells took. That is grand. I pray that you continue to do well.
Donna
My name is Donna and I live in Bryan, Texas. I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma on my birthday, July 27, 2010. I turned 55 at that time, but this May or June all of that changed when my doctor told me I was at a stage 2-3. My labs did not indicate anything different, but a PET scan determined that I had lesions in my spin and pelvis. I have been in treatment ever since with Velcade, Revlimid and dexamethasone.
Recently my oncologist stopped the Revlimid because I am preparing for a stem cell transplant next month. I met with the stem cell doctor in Houston in November. He is going to use my own stem cells to transplant back into my body. My question to you is: Did you continue the chemo treatment three weeks prior to your stem cell collection?
I am glad that things are going so well for you and that your stem cells took. That is grand. I pray that you continue to do well.
Donna
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DonnaL61 - Name: Donna Lewis
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jyly 27, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Donna, just read your post and wanted to share my sister's experience. Her stem cells were collected twice. First time in September after she had been off chemo for over a month. At the time they collected just enough for one transplant. Her transplant was delayed and she relapsed with extramedullary disease. She had to receive a very aggressive chemo (EDAP) and within two weeks from that treatment they collected stem cells again in the hope to have more for a tandem transplant. Surprisingly they managed to collect a lot of stem cells (for at least two more transplants).
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Thank you Chad for putting my mind at ease. You helped me to understand that this is going to be a longer process than I was originally told by my transplant doctor. I received a phone call from the transplant center and I was told that I have to do a battery of tests before the stem cell transplant, and I have to take a class with my caregiver. They have to get approval from my insurance company. So what I was originally told was not the entire story. Well at least that will give me a little more time to save a little more money and get my affairs in order,I pray that you continue to do well. I will continue to read your posts and check on your progress.
Donna
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DonnaL61 - Name: Donna Lewis
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jyly 27, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Donna,
Welcome to the club! Sounds like you had the same onset as I did, although my diagnosis was a complete surprise when my femur snapped in two! But I had the same lesions throughout my skeleton, mainly in spine and pelvis, and did 4 months of induction therapy. I was off of all of the medications for about a month and a half before my transplant. I'm not sure if that was to clear my body of the drugs that had been used to treat my myeloma, or just the normal protocol. If you're doing your transplant in Houston, you're probably getting top of the line medical care.
I'm now at Day +46 and am feeling great. I've been back to work for two weeks now and have resumed most of my normal activities. I'll find out in two more weeks how successful the transplant was. That causes a little anxiety.
Overall, I'm a huge proponent of early transplantation following initial induction. The increased chance of a long progression-free survival is worth being really sick for a few days. If I had known 3 months ago what I know now, I would not have agonized so much over the decision to do a transplant. I'll be forever grateful to Mark11, Mark Pouley, dogmom, and ACLinkBoca on this forum for sharing their experiences and for their encouragement.
On a fun side note, I've arranged with DeanUK, a member of the forum who also shared his transplant experience here in the forum, to take him up on his black cab tour of London this summer. It is really cool the special bond I feel with so many people on the forum from all over the world because of our shared experiences.
Praying for continued health and happiness and long life to all of you!
Welcome to the club! Sounds like you had the same onset as I did, although my diagnosis was a complete surprise when my femur snapped in two! But I had the same lesions throughout my skeleton, mainly in spine and pelvis, and did 4 months of induction therapy. I was off of all of the medications for about a month and a half before my transplant. I'm not sure if that was to clear my body of the drugs that had been used to treat my myeloma, or just the normal protocol. If you're doing your transplant in Houston, you're probably getting top of the line medical care.
I'm now at Day +46 and am feeling great. I've been back to work for two weeks now and have resumed most of my normal activities. I'll find out in two more weeks how successful the transplant was. That causes a little anxiety.
Overall, I'm a huge proponent of early transplantation following initial induction. The increased chance of a long progression-free survival is worth being really sick for a few days. If I had known 3 months ago what I know now, I would not have agonized so much over the decision to do a transplant. I'll be forever grateful to Mark11, Mark Pouley, dogmom, and ACLinkBoca on this forum for sharing their experiences and for their encouragement.
On a fun side note, I've arranged with DeanUK, a member of the forum who also shared his transplant experience here in the forum, to take him up on his black cab tour of London this summer. It is really cool the special bond I feel with so many people on the forum from all over the world because of our shared experiences.
Praying for continued health and happiness and long life to all of you!
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chadsnow - Name: Chad Snow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 19, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Great news Chad! Hoping your numbers come back great!
Did you get a rod in your femur when it broke? If so, maybe you could start a new thread with more information about the procedure and the recovery from that? (I got a rod last week for a femur that was about to snap.)
Also curious what your plan is for post-transplant maintenance, but guess that will be mostly determined by your numbers.
Thanks so much for chronicling your transplant! I'm following in your footsteps!
Did you get a rod in your femur when it broke? If so, maybe you could start a new thread with more information about the procedure and the recovery from that? (I got a rod last week for a femur that was about to snap.)
Also curious what your plan is for post-transplant maintenance, but guess that will be mostly determined by your numbers.
Thanks so much for chronicling your transplant! I'm following in your footsteps!
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Really pleased all is going well, Chad. Yes, looking forward to your visit to the UK. I have your tour route already planned.
Catch up soon.
Regards Dean
Catch up soon.
Regards Dean
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Dean UK - Name: Dean
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 41
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