Hey all. My dad's stem cell transplant is scheduled in February. He lives 18 hrs away and I'm trying to plan how I can be most helpful. Will he be able to have visitors in the hospital and are the visits limited like ICU visiting hours?
I'm sure the Mayo Clinic will give him this info as it gets closer but if I need to buy a ticket, I wanna do it ASAP to get the better deal! I wanna be there for him but am curious if I'll even be able to see him. What will his days in the hospital be like immediately following transplant?
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clay1980 - Name: Sheila
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 8/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Father having transplant - how will I be able to help?
Hi Sheila. Just ask the Mayo Clinic about the schedule and procedures now.
Is someone else staying with your dad? He should not be alone. I had my SCT at Johns Hopkins, and they required me to have someone with me. It was very necessary.
Dana
Is someone else staying with your dad? He should not be alone. I had my SCT at Johns Hopkins, and they required me to have someone with me. It was very necessary.
Dana
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Father having transplant - how will I be able to help?
Call Mayo and have them send you information about their transplant procedure. Your father will be able to have visitors throughout his hospital stay. When his blood values bottom out you will have to wear a mask and gown when you enter his room, but you will still be able to visit.
After your father receives his stem cells his days will be pretty uneventful. He will be on lots of IV's for fluids, antibiotics and I don't remember what else. A few days after the reinfusion of his cells he may begin to feel pretty fatigued and drained. This will last for a few days and then his blood levels will begin to rise.
It's really helpful if your father can bring the things that he likes to do with him to the hospital. I brought my laptop, cell phone, iPod, DVD's and my ereader loaded with all kinds of books. He will be encouraged to walk and to do light exercise every day. The only time that I spent in bed other than for sleep at night was the day that my cells were reinfused. And, that only was because I had been given a sedative that wiped me out. Even the days that I didn't feel great I was out of bed and trying to walk in the halls.
The time when it is really helpful to have someone around is for the first several days after being discharged from the hospital. Having someone who can prepare meals and drive your father to doctor appointments is really helpful.
Good luck to you in deciding what you want to do when your father has his transplant.
Nancy in Phila
After your father receives his stem cells his days will be pretty uneventful. He will be on lots of IV's for fluids, antibiotics and I don't remember what else. A few days after the reinfusion of his cells he may begin to feel pretty fatigued and drained. This will last for a few days and then his blood levels will begin to rise.
It's really helpful if your father can bring the things that he likes to do with him to the hospital. I brought my laptop, cell phone, iPod, DVD's and my ereader loaded with all kinds of books. He will be encouraged to walk and to do light exercise every day. The only time that I spent in bed other than for sleep at night was the day that my cells were reinfused. And, that only was because I had been given a sedative that wiped me out. Even the days that I didn't feel great I was out of bed and trying to walk in the halls.
The time when it is really helpful to have someone around is for the first several days after being discharged from the hospital. Having someone who can prepare meals and drive your father to doctor appointments is really helpful.
Good luck to you in deciding what you want to do when your father has his 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
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