[JBarnes]

Re: Out-patient stem cell transplant vs. one month hospital

by JBarnes on Tue Jun 04, 2013 4:46 pm

Wow, that is crazy with the hepa filters and such. Maybe that was something they did a few years ago? I know the inpatient here in Denver simply work a mask when leaving the room. With my outpatient option they didn't even wear a mask when they were checking on me each morning. Like noted in earlier posts, having your care taker with you 24x7 and not being stuck in a hospital room makes the ordeal much better. Here in Denver they have apartments attached to the hospital so you have your own space but are just a short walk from your transplant team. In our case we were within the 30 minute radius of the hospital so we came back to our own home each day. Most days I was only there 2 or 3 hours. A couple of times I need platlets which kept me there most of the day. I'm not sure which is worse, having cancer or having to be a caretaker of a cancer patient! Jerry

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Out-patient stem cell transplant vs. one month hospital

by Eric Hofacket on Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:37 am

Some more points to add concerning inpatient vs outpatient. From my previous post it should be clear I feel inpatient is the best choice. I had stopped eating and was already down about 40lbs when I went in for my SCT and lost another 10lbs and had to be feed through IV most of the day. I was down to 156lbs and I am over 6ft. I needed a few transfusions as well. I do not think they could do this at home. I was extremely tired and the thought of spending hours shuttling back and forth in a car and sitting in waiting rooms seems really unappealing to me. Sitting in a chair was tiring. In City of Hope they came into my room when they were ready to do what they had to do, I did not have to sit in a waiting room. When I got out of City of Hope, I still need a care giver at home for a few weeks even though I had my SCT inpatient. Having my SCT inpatient lessoned the burden on my caregiver who was going to have to spend a lot of time with me anyway when I got out but still had other obligations besides just taking care of me.

[Judy Malkiewicz]

Re: Out-patient stem cell transplant vs. one month hospital

by Judy Malkiewicz on Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:33 am

I had 2 autologous stem cell transplants, both done inpatient at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. I only had to spend 12-14 days inpatient and almost daily trips (60 miles each way) from my sister's home in northern Colorado for blood evaluations, transfusions as needed etc. We got used to the drive.

I was NEVER re-hospitalized after the initial transplant hospitalization and I attribute this to hepa-room filters, appropriate foods, and EXCELLENT NURSING CARE supervised 24/7 by physicians and nurse practitioners. I would never recommend out-patient apartment living for the first phases or transplant until your stem cells take hold.. Judy Malkiewicz, Mackay, Idaho