Nice going Kim, it's all starting to happen now. I spent those precious days between harvest and transplant putting on some weight (knowing that the chemo would strip it off me quickly) and, because I was a home care patient, meticulously cleaning my house. I was also putting in extra effort to get and keep fit. I believe these factors were very influential in my getting through the bad times after the transplant fairly unscathed.
Here's wishing you a smooth problem-free run through the whole process. Good luck Kim,
Andy
Forums
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MattSchtick - Name: Andy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb27 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Hi Kim
Glad to hear your harvest went well. Enjoy your break and good luck with the transplant!
Sorry you don't like your hair short but hope you found a nice wig. So nice that you could donate your hair for someone else. I tried wig shopping with friends but found it quite bizarre to change appearance so quickly! We all thought it was hilarious but a cool idea that you could just get a fringe to go under your hat! Might try a wig again after my hair falls out or just stick with hats. Was a bit worried what teenage daughter would think but she says the hats are good for now.
Keep away from the bugs and looking forward to hearing how your transplant goes.
Jen
Glad to hear your harvest went well. Enjoy your break and good luck with the transplant!
Sorry you don't like your hair short but hope you found a nice wig. So nice that you could donate your hair for someone else. I tried wig shopping with friends but found it quite bizarre to change appearance so quickly! We all thought it was hilarious but a cool idea that you could just get a fringe to go under your hat! Might try a wig again after my hair falls out or just stick with hats. Was a bit worried what teenage daughter would think but she says the hats are good for now.
Keep away from the bugs and looking forward to hearing how your transplant goes.
Jen
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NZMum - Name: NZMum
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March2014
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Good luck and God bless!!
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Debbie W - Name: Debbie w
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: june 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 71
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
I've still got a few days before I go into the hospital. I'm feeling good. I've done some trail running and spin class today. I figured I would finish up a little of my background.
Last August I started chemo. I worked with a local oncologist in Pleasant Hill, CA, who agreed to consult with doctors at Stanford, as they have an amyloidosis center there. I was put on CyBorD, but after two months, my light chains had not come down as fast as my Stanford doc would like, so my Cytoxan was replaced with Revlimid.
Throughout all this, I tolerated everything really well. In fact, I began training again with my running coach and set my sights on a November marathon. I never did run that one either. During this time, I was told by a neurologist that I had a problem with my spine, so I quit running for a couple of months. I won't even get into that story right now.
I did well on Revlimid as far as my light chains, but a bone marrow biopsy in April revealed I was still at 10% plasma cells. It was at this point that we started asking a lot of questions and talked to the doctors about doing the SCT. I am relatively young and healthy and I have great insurance. If there is a good time to do one, it's probably now ... except that after canceling a March marathon due to a hamstring injury, the only problem is what this is doing to my training schedule!
I know I'll be out for a while, but I will set my sights on coming back better than ever. If only I were getting stem cells from an elite runner, but alas, this an autologous transplant of course!
Last August I started chemo. I worked with a local oncologist in Pleasant Hill, CA, who agreed to consult with doctors at Stanford, as they have an amyloidosis center there. I was put on CyBorD, but after two months, my light chains had not come down as fast as my Stanford doc would like, so my Cytoxan was replaced with Revlimid.
Throughout all this, I tolerated everything really well. In fact, I began training again with my running coach and set my sights on a November marathon. I never did run that one either. During this time, I was told by a neurologist that I had a problem with my spine, so I quit running for a couple of months. I won't even get into that story right now.
I did well on Revlimid as far as my light chains, but a bone marrow biopsy in April revealed I was still at 10% plasma cells. It was at this point that we started asking a lot of questions and talked to the doctors about doing the SCT. I am relatively young and healthy and I have great insurance. If there is a good time to do one, it's probably now ... except that after canceling a March marathon due to a hamstring injury, the only problem is what this is doing to my training schedule!
I know I'll be out for a while, but I will set my sights on coming back better than ever. If only I were getting stem cells from an elite runner, but alas, this an autologous transplant of course!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Good luck Kim! I think you will do great with the stem cell transplant process. You have a great attitude and a competitive spirit. These factors will help you, no doubt. Keep us updated when you can and stay strong!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Hi Kim, so you're a runner too. Good for you!
Before my SCT last year, my transplant doctor - who is also a runner and is also a physician contributor to The Beacon - told me that Day +60 would be a good target to aim for to start running again. I ended up rounding down just a bit and started again at Day +45.
I took it slowly in building back up, being careful not to push myself hard, but was surprised at how quickly I rebounded. Especially in the range of 4-5 months after the SCT. I felt so good that I ran a half marathon at 6 3/4 months after the SCT.
So I'm sure you'll do fine too and be back out on the road soon! Best of luck to you!
Before my SCT last year, my transplant doctor - who is also a runner and is also a physician contributor to The Beacon - told me that Day +60 would be a good target to aim for to start running again. I ended up rounding down just a bit and started again at Day +45.
I took it slowly in building back up, being careful not to push myself hard, but was surprised at how quickly I rebounded. Especially in the range of 4-5 months after the SCT. I felt so good that I ran a half marathon at 6 3/4 months after the SCT.
So I'm sure you'll do fine too and be back out on the road soon! Best of luck to you!
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Ellen. And Mike, so glad to hear you did a Half that soon after! That is great to hear!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
It's been a long day. I had to call this morning to find out what time I was to be admitted. It turns out my room was not going to be ready until 9:30 this evening. So instead of getting chemo tonight, I will be getting it tomorrow. I am getting settled into my room and it is 11:30.
Tomorrow the adventure really begins!
Tomorrow the adventure really begins!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Good luck, Kim!
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Good luck Kim! I hope things go well and you can do laps around the nurses!
Keep us posted,
ellen
Keep us posted,
ellen
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