So far, so good. I have been on IV fluids since last night. So, most of what I have been doing is getting my vitals taken, checking my social networking sites, and going to the bathroom. I have set a new PR (personal record) for output I am sure!
I got my first dose of melphalan today. It only took 20 minutes. I sucked on some ice. It was pretty uneventful. I am sure this is the "calm before the storm". I feel fine right now. And I hope to remain positive and happy for as long as possible!
I didn't realize I would be wearing a heart monitor the whole time too. Hauling that around with the IV pole made for some slow laps around the unit. I only got in 12 laps (they told me that was about half a mile) before they made me go back to the room for ... surprise ... more vitals.
I'll check in tomorrow.
Have a great evening everyone!
Forums
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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)
Great to hear that all is going well so far, Kim. Hope you still aren't feeling any significant side effects from the melphalan infusions. Thanks for the updates!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Thanks Cheryl,
Today (it's still Sunday in my time zone) I got my second dose of melphalan and I am still feeling well. They gave me Zofran IV and I think that is helping. I am feeling a vague sense of nausea occasionally but it has not really kicked in yet. I am fully prepared to feel really bad soon, but I am hoping for the best and plan to get through it with the knowledge that is temporary.
I had some friends visit today and we did about 32 laps around the unit. Over a mile I am told. I always feel better when I workout. I am eating well too. I realize I may be doing neither of these things soon, so I am getting it in while I can.
Tomorrow is a rest day. The transplant is now delayed until Tuesday. My friend brought cupcakes ( I made sure it was OK) and we will save some for the celebration of my new birthday!
Today (it's still Sunday in my time zone) I got my second dose of melphalan and I am still feeling well. They gave me Zofran IV and I think that is helping. I am feeling a vague sense of nausea occasionally but it has not really kicked in yet. I am fully prepared to feel really bad soon, but I am hoping for the best and plan to get through it with the knowledge that is temporary.
I had some friends visit today and we did about 32 laps around the unit. Over a mile I am told. I always feel better when I workout. I am eating well too. I realize I may be doing neither of these things soon, so I am getting it in while I can.
Tomorrow is a rest day. The transplant is now delayed until Tuesday. My friend brought cupcakes ( I made sure it was OK) and we will save some for the celebration of my new birthday!
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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)
Sounds like you are doing very well so far Kim! I hope it continues this way for you. My thoughts are with you! I admire your spirit and positive attitude!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
I'm just checking in today. Nothing really exciting has happened. I have been feeling nauseated at times and they have given me both Zofran and Ativan. That seemed to help. I just had soup for lunch, my only meal today. I'm sure I will manage something for dinner.
I did get out and walk for a while. One of my running friends was here with a wheel she uses to mark certified running courses. We did determine that about 22 laps is a mile so I am satisfied my course was properly marked!
I did get out and walk for a while. One of my running friends was here with a wheel she uses to mark certified running courses. We did determine that about 22 laps is a mile so I am satisfied my course was properly marked!
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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)
Hi Kim!
You look mahhhhveloussss! Thanks for the photo!
Great to hear that you're doing well and haven't had any serious side effects yet from the melphalan. Who knows, maybe it won't get much worse?
Best of luck to you, and thanks again for your updates. I look forward to them.
You look mahhhhveloussss! Thanks for the photo!
Great to hear that you're doing well and haven't had any serious side effects yet from the melphalan. Who knows, maybe it won't get much worse?
Best of luck to you, and thanks again for your updates. I look forward to them.
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
So, now it is Wednesday morning the 20th. I did not update on the 19th because I slept through most of it.
I started having some nausea Monday night and they started giving me Ativan, which works well, but makes me very sleepy. I do remember a team of people in here while I had the actual transplant and I remember my husband being here. I don't remember when he left. I have not actually vomited, but I have had nothing but soup for the last two days. (Well, not quite true, I had a little of the birthday cake the nurses brought in when they sang to me.) I had a friend visit and I did do a few laps around the unit yesterday afternoon.
I'm not sure what I'll accomplish today. I'm looking forward to finding out what my counts are doing. I'm tired, but I have felt worse in my life, so I guess that's a good thing!
I started having some nausea Monday night and they started giving me Ativan, which works well, but makes me very sleepy. I do remember a team of people in here while I had the actual transplant and I remember my husband being here. I don't remember when he left. I have not actually vomited, but I have had nothing but soup for the last two days. (Well, not quite true, I had a little of the birthday cake the nurses brought in when they sang to me.) I had a friend visit and I did do a few laps around the unit yesterday afternoon.
I'm not sure what I'll accomplish today. I'm looking forward to finding out what my counts are doing. I'm tired, but I have felt worse in my life, so I guess that's a good thing!
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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)
Glad to see you are doing fairly well Kim. Your last pic reminded me of a character out of the original Star Wars bar scene 
Sharing your updates like this truly is a great service to the myeloma community. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Sharing your updates like this truly is a great service to the myeloma community. Wishing you a speedy recovery.-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Checking in here, Thursday morning. I managed OK yesterday. I stopped ordering from room service completely. I am completely turned off by the idea of food. I did have a couple of Ensures during the day. This from someone who has passionately loved eating all her life. I know this is a temporary situation, so, I try not to let it get me down.
I could not sleep at all during the first part of the night. I tend to be one of those types who hates to bother people, so until the nurse came in to do my vitals at 4, it didn't occur to me to say anything. I did then, and got some Ativan that gave me some rest until about 8. I spoke with the doctor on rounds this morning and I'm going to try Ambien tonight.
My counts are going down. They have a chart in my room, but the only one I can see clearly right now is my white count at 3.8.
I am probably going to have some visitors today, so that's something to look forward to.
Have a great day, everyone!
I could not sleep at all during the first part of the night. I tend to be one of those types who hates to bother people, so until the nurse came in to do my vitals at 4, it didn't occur to me to say anything. I did then, and got some Ativan that gave me some rest until about 8. I spoke with the doctor on rounds this morning and I'm going to try Ambien tonight.
My counts are going down. They have a chart in my room, but the only one I can see clearly right now is my white count at 3.8.
I am probably going to have some visitors today, so that's something to look forward to.
Have a great day, everyone!
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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)
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Kim. ASCT is in my near future and I find it helpful to learn from your experience. I wish you the best.
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Dano - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 65
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