I can't offer any tips, Andy, but I will say that I hope you're doing well. Your comment about gaining almost 20 pounds before your transplant surprised me. Is this something that your doctor recommended that you do?
Good luck!
Forums
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Video update recorded on Day 5
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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: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Was glad to see your update today, Andy, when I checked in here, and was even happier to hear that you're doing well (all things considered). Hope things continue that way.
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Video update recorded on Day 7(It's wonderful to be getting the support and suggestions from the Beacon Family and it never fails to give me a lift in spirits!)
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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: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Oh, Andy. Sorry to see that things have gotten rougher for you. I could tell almost from the beginning of your update, even before you said anything, that you're not doing as well as you were before. I do hope you're feeling better today and that the worst is soon behind you.
I appreciate your updates and look for them every day when I check what's going on here.
I appreciate your updates and look for them every day when I check what's going on here.
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Video update recorded on Day 11
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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: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
I think you are holding up rather well in comparison to some of the others who have posted their reactions to the transplant! Of course,that's easy for me to say, since I am not experiencing what you are. Unless the process is vastly different from what we do here in the US, you are probably through the worst of it, or at least at bottom right now. From what I understand, the stem cells begin to engraft right about the 10 -12th day, so you should feel the positive effects of that soon. I hope your appetitie returns soon!
Sending positive thoughts your way! Ellen Goldstein-Harris
Sending positive thoughts your way! Ellen Goldstein-Harris
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Hi Andy, thanks for your update. Sounds like you are doing well, and I hope that your blood counts start to climb very soon. That was the most nerve wracking part of the procedure for me -- looking at the lab results. I was weighed every day I went into the hospital, which was on weekdays, and the nurses stressed that they didn't want me to lose weight. I drank tins of Ensure along with other food too, and didn't lose weight over those few weeks.
Nice you are managing as an 'outpatient', since it is nice to be at home in one's familiar surroundings, as long as it is feasible medically speaking. We only live 15 mins. away from the cancer center, which I think is one reason I was not kept in hospital over the transplant time. We would just drive back and forth daily for tests and to see medical staff, who were keeping an eye on the procedure. I only had to go back into the hospital once, when I spiked a fever and was thought to perhaps have C. diff., for a night or two. It turned out that the fever was not an infection, but probably a reaction to the Neupogen injections being used to stimulate the increase of new blood cells being produced in the marrow.
It was time consuming to go for the daily appointments, though, and my Dad stepped in to help with the driving since my husband had to get to work too. I was not strong enough to do my own driving at that time. I think that is terrific that in Australia a nurse will do home visits for you!
Hope you are soon able also to get out for walks outdoors, since that is nice for one's recovery.
Nice you are managing as an 'outpatient', since it is nice to be at home in one's familiar surroundings, as long as it is feasible medically speaking. We only live 15 mins. away from the cancer center, which I think is one reason I was not kept in hospital over the transplant time. We would just drive back and forth daily for tests and to see medical staff, who were keeping an eye on the procedure. I only had to go back into the hospital once, when I spiked a fever and was thought to perhaps have C. diff., for a night or two. It turned out that the fever was not an infection, but probably a reaction to the Neupogen injections being used to stimulate the increase of new blood cells being produced in the marrow.
It was time consuming to go for the daily appointments, though, and my Dad stepped in to help with the driving since my husband had to get to work too. I was not strong enough to do my own driving at that time. I think that is terrific that in Australia a nurse will do home visits for you!
Hope you are soon able also to get out for walks outdoors, since that is nice for one's recovery.
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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: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Hi Matt,
You are the greatest! Start my transplant work up in a couple of weeks and your video posts have been reassuring that it all just happens. Glad you can get out early and finish treatment from home and hope you're on the mend.
Big cheer for you from NZ cos what are we if we aren't neighbours!
Take care 'n be happy!
Jen
You are the greatest! Start my transplant work up in a couple of weeks and your video posts have been reassuring that it all just happens. Glad you can get out early and finish treatment from home and hope you're on the mend.
Big cheer for you from NZ cos what are we if we aren't neighbours!
Take care 'n be happy!
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: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Ellen,
You know why Andy is coping so well? Aussies are just tougher ... Even imports ... Hehehe
Vic.
You know why Andy is coping so well? Aussies are just tougher ... Even imports ... Hehehe
Vic.
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vicstir - Name: Vic
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
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