[sharon]

Details of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

by sharon on Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:08 pm

I am 45 and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma August 23rd of 09. I was told I should have the transplant within 6 months but after starting the drug regiment of Dex, Revlimid and some various other drugs I was allready on as they told me I had Lupus I became very ill in October, rendering me to the ICU for 1 month with pneumonia, renel failure and septicemia. When I woke I was inabated, could not move my arms and legs and had no kidney function. I have since regained my kidney function after 3 months of dialysis. I had to learn to walk again and did so in Feb of 2010. I have spinal stenosis, a bone pinching into my spine which causes great neck pain caused by the multiple myeloma they say, much back pain, and arthritis all over. I have gained my strength back, have been on Velcade, and Revlimid and Prednisone since then and Dex for about 2 months again now and I will undergo the transplant this month. The whole procedure will start the week of Sept 20th. I have started a blog and will detail the events as they take place as I could not really find and detailed informatoin as to what is all involved. You can view this at http://stemcelltransplantmyeloma.blogspot.com and I will be updating this daily as I undergo the transplant. Everyone who has this terrible disease or a loved one that does just keep fighting, don't ever give up. I have come so far now and won't stop. Each day is a challenge. My thougts are with you all.

[val]

Re: Details of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

by val on Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:23 pm

Hi Sharon, I'm amazed by your courage and strength after all you have been through. I hope your transplant procedure goes well; I'll be sure to check in on your progress along the way.

[NStewart]

Re: Details of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

by NStewart on Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:22 pm

Sharon-
After what you've been through already, the transplant should be a breeze if all goes according to plan. Except for a few relatively minor problems I did quite well with my transplant this past January. I went back to work 10 weeks after I had the transplant and was only in the hospital 2 weeks after the transplant.

Will you be doing the transplant as an inpatient or as an outpatient. If as an inpatient, be sure to take plenty of things to do to keep yourself occupied. I bought an ebook so that I wouldn't have to lug a lot of books to read. I brought my lap top and dvd's to watch. I also took my favorite throw and my favorite pillow to have on my bed. Bring whatever will make you comfortable in your room.

You can read my journal on caringbridge.org with the password: nancystewart1. I posted almost daily during the whole process.

Be well and good luck,
Nancy

[msallie]

Re: Details of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

by msallie on Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:59 pm

Yes as Nancy after what you have been through the transplant should be fine good luck. Nancy if you dont mind sharing what kind of work do you do cuz I am still not back to work 1 yr 9 months after transplant I tried it but the exhaustion is too much . I am a Nurse and I just cant keep up that pace anymore I always referr to myself as the new me.

[NStewart]

Re: Details of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

by NStewart on Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:02 pm

I am a physical therapist in an outpatient setting. I treat people with lymphedema, problems secondary to their cancer treatments and people with pelvic floor dysfunctions. It was hard going back to work at first. I would come home and fall into bed because of the fatigue. But, as I got used to being that active again and my condition improved my fatigue has lessened. Fortunately for the type of specialties I have I see people one-on-one for an hour and am not running around like crazy. If I were a nurse, I don't know that I would be able to keep up that pace.
Nancy