Does anyone have experience with returning to construction work after an autologous stem cell transplant? We work in remodeling and my husband is the main person on-site ever since we had a child, and is exposed to dust/fumes from demolition, drywall, framing, concrete, painting, etc. There is not a ton of online info specifically addressing returning to this occupation, but what I have seen varies wildly, from "after six months wearing a respirator" to "at least a year and maybe never."
We have an intake meeting with the team at the transplant center in two weeks (he will probably have the procedure in July or August), and obviously they will give us their take on it, but I am trying to gather additional info beforehand and not only have one source of information. Obviously stamina is going to be an issue for the first while, but he is in great physical shape aside from the myeloma, so I'm more wondering about restrictions regarding what the recovering immune system can be exposed to. It seems like dust is a big concern, and jobsites have a lot of that.
He loves his work and it's a very important part of his identity, not to mention that it would leave us scrambling to shut down our business and have no income long-term instead of short term, so he is very much hoping he will be able to get back to it after a hiatus to heal.
Forums
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mplsterrapin - Name: Ari
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Fall 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
I would think that he would need to use some kind of face protector to limit his exposure to dust, etc. One of the biggest problems for me during my first year post transplant was respiratory infections. I wasn't exposed to the kind of things that your husband would be exposed to, but I worked with people who also were immune compromised. So I think that he would have to be extra careful in trying to eliminate any exposure to inhaled irritants to the respiratory system.
Let us know what his transplant doctor has to say about this.
Nancy in Phila
Let us know what his transplant doctor has to say about this.
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: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
There is some link between wood dust exposure and myeloma. So I would speak to an industrial hygienist to see what they recommend for a face mask.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
Thank you; I will keep that in mind about the respiratory infections and finding out about proper respirators. I feel like he won't want to adhere to vague restrictions, but if he understands a specific risk, such as a respiratory infection, perhaps he will be swayed to be more careful.
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mplsterrapin - Name: Ari
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Fall 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
Subject to all the usual qualifications (I'm not a doctor etc), I don't see why exposure to dust on a building site would be a particular problem unless the dust is likely it to be contaminated by mold spores. So renovation of old buildings might be a problem, but new construction less so.
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Davidg - Name: David
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2015 - AL Amyloidosis
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
Hello Mpl:
Let me take the common sense approach here. A low level of ambient dust might not be a specific problem to a multiple myeloma patient, but on the other hand, it might. But for normal healthy persons, moderate to high levels of dust are just plain bad. I don't think it's too swift to go exposing yourself to relatively high levels of dust about 8 weeks after an autologous stem cell transplant.
Now, 6 to 8+ months plus later, and you are careful about it and you are wearing not just a mask but something like a painter's respirator, that I could see, if you have bounced back and are in tip top shape. Good luck to you.
Let me take the common sense approach here. A low level of ambient dust might not be a specific problem to a multiple myeloma patient, but on the other hand, it might. But for normal healthy persons, moderate to high levels of dust are just plain bad. I don't think it's too swift to go exposing yourself to relatively high levels of dust about 8 weeks after an autologous stem cell transplant.
Now, 6 to 8+ months plus later, and you are careful about it and you are wearing not just a mask but something like a painter's respirator, that I could see, if you have bounced back and are in tip top shape. Good luck to you.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
Hi Mpl,
I know that your husband and you have a business to run, but I think that caution about inhaling dust is appropriate now. Perhaps a superintendent could be on site for awhile and send in information by phone photos? Dust in itself could be an irritant, but it is also a carrier of many different microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, that are airborne. See, for example, the information in this study:
Barberán, A. et al, "Continental-scale distributions of dust-associated bacteria and fungi," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, May 5, 2015 (full text of article)
There may be filters that are fine enough to filter out micro organisms in some of the respirators you have been advised about!
Good luck with the transplant and hope all goes well.
I know that your husband and you have a business to run, but I think that caution about inhaling dust is appropriate now. Perhaps a superintendent could be on site for awhile and send in information by phone photos? Dust in itself could be an irritant, but it is also a carrier of many different microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, that are airborne. See, for example, the information in this study:
Barberán, A. et al, "Continental-scale distributions of dust-associated bacteria and fungi," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, May 5, 2015 (full text of article)
There may be filters that are fine enough to filter out micro organisms in some of the respirators you have been advised about!
Good luck with the transplant and hope all goes well.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
I would like to add a couple of things. I have not had my transplant yet, but it looks like it will happen towards the end of this year. So I try to put myself in your shoes. I was a heavy equipment technician but due to the type of work and my bone issues, I had to take an early retirement.
One thing I would ask your transplant team is what if any drugs they might prescribe for post transplant. A lot of the drugs make me a little tired / sleepy. I currently take Pomalyst and it seems to do that. Of course, dexamethasone will make me a little sluggish for a few hours after taking it; then several hours later, I really get wound up and then am up most of the night. Next day I am thrashed.
Safety is probably one concern for your husband being up on ladders or roofs. He could get light headed from these drugs. If your husband is like myself, I would push myself through just about any health issues and keep working. He might have to slow down and just take it easy, a few hours a day to get a feel for things.
And the dust issue as some have mentioned could be another issue. Respirators come in several types. Just need to find the correct one.
Could your husband take the role of contractor with some subs doing the physical work for a few months?
One thing I would ask your transplant team is what if any drugs they might prescribe for post transplant. A lot of the drugs make me a little tired / sleepy. I currently take Pomalyst and it seems to do that. Of course, dexamethasone will make me a little sluggish for a few hours after taking it; then several hours later, I really get wound up and then am up most of the night. Next day I am thrashed.
Safety is probably one concern for your husband being up on ladders or roofs. He could get light headed from these drugs. If your husband is like myself, I would push myself through just about any health issues and keep working. He might have to slow down and just take it easy, a few hours a day to get a feel for things.
And the dust issue as some have mentioned could be another issue. Respirators come in several types. Just need to find the correct one.
Could your husband take the role of contractor with some subs doing the physical work for a few months?
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
I agree with all the previous comments regarding dust. In the 1980s, I was installing cabinets and doing finishing work in residences. I became allergic to the formaldehyde glue that is in a lot of products (still am).
I then became a building official and then a plan checker when I became sick with my myeloma. I was off work for my autologous stem cell transplant and, for 3 years after that. I went back to work in the office only, but lasted only 3 months. I just couldn't handle it.
I realize everyone is different, keep this in mind in making your decisions.
Best of luck! Gary
I then became a building official and then a plan checker when I became sick with my myeloma. I was off work for my autologous stem cell transplant and, for 3 years after that. I went back to work in the office only, but lasted only 3 months. I just couldn't handle it.
I realize everyone is different, keep this in mind in making your decisions.
Best of luck! Gary
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GaryH - Name: GaryH
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov./97
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Construction work after stem cell transplant?
Thanks for all these ideas; they give me more specific questions to ask at the transplant center.
I hadn't thought about post-transplant medications that might make it unsafe for him to be on roofs / ladders and use power tools (as far as drowsiness / dizziness), so I will be especially sure to inquire about that.
I hadn't thought about post-transplant medications that might make it unsafe for him to be on roofs / ladders and use power tools (as far as drowsiness / dizziness), so I will be especially sure to inquire about that.
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mplsterrapin - Name: Ari
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Fall 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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