We were told by our transplant coordinator that if all went as to plan, my husband might only be in the hospital for a week to ten days.
I would be interested in other's experiences.
We are approximately 3 months off from starting the transplant process as he is still in induction.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
I'm sure the inpatient time varies widely from person to person, and I seem to recall some info about the procedure being done on an outpatient basis.
I was in the hospital 17 days for my auto transplant. On Day One I was given the big dose of melphalan, then I had the transplant 2 days later. My recovery was uneventful, which I was told rarely happens.
My doctor had told me to plan on being in the hospital 21-27 days. I'm glad he was able to let me go home on Day 17 because I was really tired of being in the hospital.
My transplant doctor released me back to the care of my local hematologist / oncologist about 100 days after the transplant for continuing maintenance therapy.
I was in the hospital 17 days for my auto transplant. On Day One I was given the big dose of melphalan, then I had the transplant 2 days later. My recovery was uneventful, which I was told rarely happens.
My doctor had told me to plan on being in the hospital 21-27 days. I'm glad he was able to let me go home on Day 17 because I was really tired of being in the hospital.
My transplant doctor released me back to the care of my local hematologist / oncologist about 100 days after the transplant for continuing maintenance therapy.
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Gary D - Name: Gary D
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
My husband did his stem cell transplant at Moffitt Cancer Center in an outpatient setting. He is 47. We had to stay in an apartment in Tampa since the hospital is over an hour from our home.
He had his transplant September 28th and we were home October 19th. We probably could have been home a little sooner.
If you live close to the hospital, the 10 days stay and then manage the stem cell transplant as outpatient is probably right.
It usually takes about 10 days for engraftment. When engraftment happens, there may be fever. They want to monitor them when they have a fever. Although my husband was all outpatient, when he got a fever, they admitted him to the hospital for 2 days since he still had low counts.
Overall, my husband's experience was smooth. He had slight nausea and leg pain, but he had had leg pain prior which is peripheral neuropathy from Velcade.
He is doing well, now. All numbers are good and he was able to reach minimal residual disease (MRD) MRD negative. Main issue is periodic fatigue.
I hope this was beneficial.
He had his transplant September 28th and we were home October 19th. We probably could have been home a little sooner.
If you live close to the hospital, the 10 days stay and then manage the stem cell transplant as outpatient is probably right.
It usually takes about 10 days for engraftment. When engraftment happens, there may be fever. They want to monitor them when they have a fever. Although my husband was all outpatient, when he got a fever, they admitted him to the hospital for 2 days since he still had low counts.
Overall, my husband's experience was smooth. He had slight nausea and leg pain, but he had had leg pain prior which is peripheral neuropathy from Velcade.
He is doing well, now. All numbers are good and he was able to reach minimal residual disease (MRD) MRD negative. Main issue is periodic fatigue.
I hope this was beneficial.
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
I did my transplant on an outpatient basis. I went in the hospital on Monday and was discharged on Wednesday. I live 20 minutes from the transplant center, so I went in every day for blood draws and a physical exam. After about three weeks, my counts had recovered sufficiently that I could have the central line removed and was back at work about 5 weeks post-transplant. I had no complications so I was very lucky.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
My mom (62 years old) did hers as an in-patient at Northwestern in Chicago on November 2. We were told to expect 2-3 weeks and she was released at 2 weeks exactly; they were actually willing to send her home the day before, but we insisted on one more day.
Everyone is different, but from day 7-10 she was neutropenic and had no white blood cells, so going home at that point was out of the question. She was very weak when leaving the hospital, but really came around within a couple of weeks at home. She had home healthcare every other day for blood draws for about a week and that was it. No real complications of any kind to speak of, but hair and appetite loss are the biggest issues after.
Everyone is different, but from day 7-10 she was neutropenic and had no white blood cells, so going home at that point was out of the question. She was very weak when leaving the hospital, but really came around within a couple of weeks at home. She had home healthcare every other day for blood draws for about a week and that was it. No real complications of any kind to speak of, but hair and appetite loss are the biggest issues after.
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
Goldmine, I am so glad yours went well and I hope we have the same outcome. Cubs Fan, I am glad your mom is doing well now.
It would be nice if he could be home in a week to 10 days, but I don't care how long he has to stay. I just want it to be complication free. I know there is a certain amount of sickness and discomfort he will have to go through that is unavoidable. He knows that as well. I had breast cancer 11 years ago with surgery, chemo, hair loss, nausea and all that goes with that, so he has seen that side of it. I will be glad we will be in the hospital as to have access to whatever good drugs to manage his symptoms as best they can.
I repeat the words back to him about this that he told me 11 years ago. We will do what we have to do for a short time to have a long time together and we will do it as one. Thanks to all of you for your help.
It would be nice if he could be home in a week to 10 days, but I don't care how long he has to stay. I just want it to be complication free. I know there is a certain amount of sickness and discomfort he will have to go through that is unavoidable. He knows that as well. I had breast cancer 11 years ago with surgery, chemo, hair loss, nausea and all that goes with that, so he has seen that side of it. I will be glad we will be in the hospital as to have access to whatever good drugs to manage his symptoms as best they can.
I repeat the words back to him about this that he told me 11 years ago. We will do what we have to do for a short time to have a long time together and we will do it as one. Thanks to all of you for your help.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
I was in the hospital for 17 days for my transplant and was able to go home as soon as my blood counts recovered. Since I didn't have the option of having a caretaker during the transplant, the option of doing the transplant as an outpatient was off the table. I did have a caretaker once I got home from the hospital, even though I probably didn't need one. But you have to plan for the worst case.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
As everyone has said, this is a very subjective response. My husband was admitted to hospital late on April 10, 2014. He had two days of melphalan and his stem cells infused the following day. On Day +13 he was discharged (so total of 17 days including admittance day). We stayed in Boston for a few days after that (were told we may have to stay a week or so), but his counts were good so they let us go at our next checkup.
My husband was 66 at the time and had a very (*knock wood) easy time of it. He never lost his appetite and never spiked a fever. He was told this was very very unusual. We joked that I was the one who suffered because when I was in his room I couldn't eat or drink and had to wear the mask and gloves – while he was looking at the menu and ordering lunch and dinner!
I hope your husband gets through this with much ease!
My husband was 66 at the time and had a very (*knock wood) easy time of it. He never lost his appetite and never spiked a fever. He was told this was very very unusual. We joked that I was the one who suffered because when I was in his room I couldn't eat or drink and had to wear the mask and gloves – while he was looking at the menu and ordering lunch and dinner!
I hope your husband gets through this with much ease!
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Nanjeanne - Name: Nanjeanne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
Thank you all so much for sharing. Keep it coming. Thanks! 
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Time to recover from stem cell transplant
15 days in the hospital. It took me about two weeks to get a reasonable amount of energy back, but I wasn't allowed to go back to to work for another two months! I felt fine for those two months and could have gone back to work much sooner had my doctor been willing to let me.
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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