Just wondering about a few posts that I have read about having a bone marrow transplant as an outpatient. I have been on a treatment of Revlimid and dexamethasone for about 5 months. All is going well so far. My oncologist works with the University of Southern California and is setting up an appointment for my first visit with them. It's about 200 miles from where I live.
Just wondering how anyone can do a transplant as outpatient. From what I have read in the binder that was sent to me from USC, a person is susceptible to so many things and, even when released from the hospital, they suggest staying at a local hotel near the hospital for about one week and blood work is done daily. Then, when they feel that it's ok to go home, they will let you know. Even then they have many restrictions when you get home.
I am months away from a transplant but would some of these details for staying longer at the hospital be due to my distance from the hospital?
Could someone fill me in on having this done as an outpatient?
Thank You
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Outpatient bone marrow transplant - how is it done?
Hi Castaway,
I had my transplant as an outpatient in May 2012. I live 26 miles from the hospital, my husband drove me there everyday for 5 weeks. They want you to live within 50 miles of the hospital just in case you develop an infection and need to be admitted right away. I knew some patients who live far away and, during the transplant, they rented a house close to the hospital for that period, which it's cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Good luck with your transplant.
Kaew
I had my transplant as an outpatient in May 2012. I live 26 miles from the hospital, my husband drove me there everyday for 5 weeks. They want you to live within 50 miles of the hospital just in case you develop an infection and need to be admitted right away. I knew some patients who live far away and, during the transplant, they rented a house close to the hospital for that period, which it's cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Good luck with your transplant.
Kaew
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Kaew
Re: Outpatient bone marrow transplant - how is it done?
I did my transplant outpatient. I live only about a 20 minute drive from the center. Many transplant centers have facilities that you can rent nearby if you live too far away to commute since you need to go in for blood work daily until your counts reach a certain level. Fom what I understand, staying in one of these facilities, if available, is preferable to a hotel since they may be more reasonably priced and are designed for persons under medical care.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Outpatient bone marrow transplant - how is it done?
My mother did her ASCT as an outpatient. We stayed at a hotel near the myeloma center (UAMS), which is about 2.5 hours away from our home.
She went to the clinic for monitoring twice a day during this process. While it sounds quite a bit more terrifying to somehow do this as an outpatient, the process went without a hitch. For my mom, this was preferred, because she was not in a hospital room, which she did not want. The instructions and care of the myeloma center staff made it all that much easier. We are very thankful to them, especially the nurses and the APNs, who offered their own phone numbers so that we could text/call them at any time we felt there was a need.
She went to the clinic for monitoring twice a day during this process. While it sounds quite a bit more terrifying to somehow do this as an outpatient, the process went without a hitch. For my mom, this was preferred, because she was not in a hospital room, which she did not want. The instructions and care of the myeloma center staff made it all that much easier. We are very thankful to them, especially the nurses and the APNs, who offered their own phone numbers so that we could text/call them at any time we felt there was a need.
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Outpatient bone marrow transplant - how is it done?
Thank you all for the information.
As it turns out, I went to my oncologist today for my monthly lab results, and they finally got the ok from my insurance to get my initial visit to USC. So I will ask about accommodations other than a hotel when I go down there. And will ask about having this done as outpatient. They might not allow it, but it's worth asking. I have so many questions to ask them.
Again, Thank You All, George
As it turns out, I went to my oncologist today for my monthly lab results, and they finally got the ok from my insurance to get my initial visit to USC. So I will ask about accommodations other than a hotel when I go down there. And will ask about having this done as outpatient. They might not allow it, but it's worth asking. I have so many questions to ask them.
Again, Thank You All, George
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
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