[wekebu]

How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by wekebu on Fri Feb 12, 2016 7:15 pm

How long, in total, were you out of work from the start of stem cell harvest until you could go back to work after your stem cell transplant?

If I know my husband, he will be concerned about lost wages.

I realize that everyone's different, but curious.

[JimNY]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by JimNY on Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:11 am

Hi Wendy,

I can't help you based on my own experience because I haven't had a stem cell transplant, but I can tell you that there have been several discussions here in the forum that may help you, in addition to any responses others may have to your question.

This discussion, "Returning to work after a stem cell transplant" (started Sep 25, 2014), has a couple of responses that might help, plus there's a Beacon Staff post that points to a couple of polls and other forum discussions that will probably help.

There also was an extended discussion about work, generally, around Labor Day last year:

"Multiple myeloma and work" (Sep 5, 2015)

Searching the forum for "work", "transplant work", and "sct work" may also bring up more helpful feedback.

Keep in mind that people respond very individually to transplants. How long a transplant "knocks someone out" really varies a lot from person to person. A person's physical strength and stamina does seem to play a role, but it's not everything.

Hope this helps a bit.

[goldmine848]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by goldmine848 on Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:45 am

I was away from the office for 5 weeks. I was able to work from home during most of that time after the first few days..

[kjpoppit]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by kjpoppit on Sat Feb 13, 2016 8:36 pm

I was off work for 3 months after the transplant. I suppose I could have gone back sooner and only worked half days, but I was lucky enough to have a good short-term disability plan which allowed me more time to get my strength back. Of course, everyone is different, and what type of job a person has would also make a difference.

Good Luck

[Rhonda]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by Rhonda on Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:05 pm

Hi

I returned to work just short of 3 months post transplant. I struggled with fatigue for quite some time after returning to work and have been put on antibiotics three times since my return. I am now six months out and feeling much stronger. It definitely takes time to recover and everyone is different.

He needs to listen to his body and rest when needed (that is the hardest part) at least it was for me.

I wish him the best!
Rhonda

[stu1975]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by stu1975 on Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:03 pm

Hi Rhonda,

I had my first stem cell transplant on January 7th this year and I returned to full time work last week, so for me the down time was about a month. However, I do think I was one of the luckier ones, as most people seem to take considerably longer.

My advice to your husband would be to walk as much as possible before, during, and after the transplant, eat whatever and whenever he can (every bit helps), and finally be patient.

Hopefully this helps. Good luck to both you and your husband.

[NStewart]

Re: How long out of work due to stem cell transplant?

by NStewart on Tue Feb 16, 2016 4:43 pm

I was forced to return to work 10 weeks post transplant or lose my job. I was a physical thera­pist who worked with people being treated for cancer. So, me being immune compromised working with people who were immune compromised. I was still really fatigued and would come home from work and go straight to bed. That lasted for about 3 months. After that, things began to slowly im­prove. I developed a few severe respiratory infections during that first year, but none since. 6 years post transplant.

Each person is different in how they recover from the transplant. So, your husband won't know until he reaches that point.

I hope that all goes well for him and that he has an easy time of it.

Nancy in Phila