Husband had stem cell transplant on Feb 19th. Things went well until he developed head and chest cold symptoms. All tests showed no bacterial infection and X-rays did not show pneumonia. Was given antibiotics, cold meds, and respiratory therapy.
He was released from hospital three days ago and his head/chest congestion are no better. He is no longer on antibiotics and has not developed a fever.
My questions: Has anyone else had similar situation and how did it resolve? How is it even possible for the body to recover normally when the immune system is so damaged from chemo treatment?
Carole
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Foxrun - Name: Carole
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 22 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 71
Re: Immune system after stem cell transplant
Hello, Carol:
If I counted the days correctly, your husband was released on day 14. From my understanding, that is pretty close to the best case. I am guessing that his white blood cell count has come back strong. I would say that particularly if he is not feeling well, that he should take it slow, probably up to at least day 30 (another two weeks). If his respiratory issues keep up, do not wait until they get bad before bringing him back in to get it checked out.
In my wife's case from last February, one of the treatments post transplant was a pulmonary treatment done like in an oxygen tent called pentamidine to ward off pneumonia. From reading the forum, I do not think that all centers follow that protocol, but I do know that respiratory issues are one of the greatest potential troubles post transplant.
It would not be unusual for him to feel very lethargic for a while, but his strength should start improving, at least slowly, between days 30 and 45. Patient responses vary widely in this regard.
Good luck to you and your husband.
If I counted the days correctly, your husband was released on day 14. From my understanding, that is pretty close to the best case. I am guessing that his white blood cell count has come back strong. I would say that particularly if he is not feeling well, that he should take it slow, probably up to at least day 30 (another two weeks). If his respiratory issues keep up, do not wait until they get bad before bringing him back in to get it checked out.
In my wife's case from last February, one of the treatments post transplant was a pulmonary treatment done like in an oxygen tent called pentamidine to ward off pneumonia. From reading the forum, I do not think that all centers follow that protocol, but I do know that respiratory issues are one of the greatest potential troubles post transplant.
It would not be unusual for him to feel very lethargic for a while, but his strength should start improving, at least slowly, between days 30 and 45. Patient responses vary widely in this regard.
Good luck to you and your husband.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Immune system after stem cell transplant
My wife developed a high fever on Day +6 and was given a series of antibiotics, none of which helped. They did a CAT scan of her lungs and she was negative for pneumonia. Finally on Day +15, they removed her Hickman line and within a day her fever dropped and no fever 2 days later.
It's common that they never find the source of the infection and it's also common that the line can be the source of infection.
They decided to give her a couple of days of Neupogen to accelerate her counts.
It's common that they never find the source of the infection and it's also common that the line can be the source of infection.
They decided to give her a couple of days of Neupogen to accelerate her counts.
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SK1 - Name: SK
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 62
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