[mikedarty]

Preparation for Stem Cell Transplant

by mikedarty on Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:04 pm

It looks like I have been approved for SCT for later on in the summer. Does anyone have any recommendations on preparing for this procedure? In particular, is there anything, such as diet or exercise, you can recommend to make the procedure more bearable, faster recovery, etc.
Thanks
Mike

[RayGunter]

Re: Preparation for Stem Cell Transplant

by RayGunter on Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:51 am

I tried exercising as much as possible. I was riding a bike for about 30 minutes a day, lifting light weights and walking. It can be pretty hard to do as most people are coming off induction therapy and that can take a lot out of you and leave you with very little energy for exercise. So whatever can be done do it.

For diet, eat as healthy as you can. Less salt and fat the better. Your body gets brutalized by the chemo they give you and the stronger your body is going in the better it will come out I think.

I had 2 SCT and I thought the 2nd one went much better because I had exercised a bunch more in the couple months between them.

For the big dose of melphalan they give you, suck on ice chips and/or popsicles for an hour before the chemo, during the chemo (about 30 minutes) and then another hour after. I did this and had no mouth sore problems. It's annoying to do it, but the mouth sores can be awful, so it's worth trying. It definitely worked for me.

[KrysiaR]

Re: Preparation for Stem Cell Transplant

by KrysiaR on Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:53 pm

Hi Mike

I had a SCT mid-February and I agree with Ray about the ice chips before, during and after the Melphalan. During the stem cell infusion, they gave me mints to suck on and that helped too, so I didn't have any mouth sores either. I've never sucked so much in my life (on sweets that is!)

Prepare for the hospital stay - take stuff to do and familiar things from home. In Canada the stay is 2-3 weeks and it can get lonely and tedious being in hospital. (On a realistic and basic note, make sure you have some bottom wipes and diaper cream as diarrhea can be severe and painful.)

I'm not sure if being "healthy" plays a huge part in this process. Of course it's wise to look after yourself; however, I have met several people who have gone through this procedure and even though some of them have led super healthy lives, the recovery is always unique and doesn't seem to be founded on what you eat or do before. My buddy was really into exercise and organic food and ended up in hospital for 4 plus weeks as he contracted pneumonia and a bunch of other infections whereas I came out after 16 days.

Anyway, good luck on this journey.

Krysia

[Allison]

Re: Preparation for Stem Cell Transplant

by Allison on Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:54 pm

Prior to my transplant I exercised by walking, low impact aerobics, and weights. I tried to push myself but it was difficult dealing with the fatigue, bone fractures, and chemo. Whatever you can do with exercise will help in your recovery. I will veer off the track here with my diet description. I ate whatever I wanted. That included chips, donuts, and fries. I had lost a lot of weight before my diagnosis due to a lack of appetite. I knew the transplant would cause even more weight loss so I was trying to gain weight. During the hospitalization I really struggled with concentration. I could not read(I am an avid reader.) TV was somewhat helpful. Unfortunately the hospital had a bad cable package. Technology offers many more options now. I would take a tablet(iPad, Kindle Fire, etc.) If you enjoy movies or TV you can keep yourself occupied. The hours go by slowly when you are a patient. Best wishes to you!