At this time, the plan is to have my first autologous stem cell transplant in January 2014. Does anyone have any tips or experiences to share about preparing one's home so that I might minimize infections and maximize comfort ?
I know my hospital will advise on an at-home diet (something they call a low infection risk diet). I welcome any tips on the at home diet, too, but I feel most uninformed on the at home environment and how sterile we need to make it.
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Re: Returning Home After SCT
My wife had our air ducting cleaned and I also wore a mask off and on. All trips I made to the store I made early when there were few people and wore a mask occasionally. Did just fine.
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coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Returning Home After SCT
I would keep a strong bleach cleaner out and in view as a reminder about surfaces. You could Google up the dilution of hydrogen peroxide to dip raw food in. They say a rinse in water and a brief soak for things like raw fruit and salad fixings can sterilize them for consumption. Hand sanitizer can't be used too often in my opinion.
I had CLL for years before I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and I was well versed in hand sanitation. I even carry sanitizing wipes when I go out to eat in order to sanitized condiment bottles and salt and pepper. The biggest help I believe is learning not to transfer any thing to mucus membranes from your hands before they are sanitized..
I had CLL for years before I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and I was well versed in hand sanitation. I even carry sanitizing wipes when I go out to eat in order to sanitized condiment bottles and salt and pepper. The biggest help I believe is learning not to transfer any thing to mucus membranes from your hands before they are sanitized..
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Returning Home After SCT
I just followed the hospitals instructions. One thing they recommended is skipping the kitty litter so my husband dealt with that. We Just did diligent regular cleaning with soap and water. I was on the low microbe diet, and told to avoid crowds and usual stuff like frequent hand washing. We moved into a new apartment part way through my treatment and I spent the two weeks before my transplant scrubbing it (last tennants left it filthy) top to bottom. Eating my husband's cooking after my transplant was a bit hard since I had no taste for food and he decided he need to cook everything extra well done to be sure there were no germs... 
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Anonymous
Re: Returning Home After SCT
I didn't do anything extra special to my home that I don't do on a regular basis. I did have someone take care of the kitty litter for 6 weeks after I came home. I went out in public with no problems. But, I did choose times of day where there wouldn't be any crowds. I went shopping, to the movies and out to eat. I informed anyone who came to visit to stay away if they didn't feel well, were coughing or sneezing.
One of my friends had a baby on the day of my transplant. My oncologist told me that I could visit the baby after I got home, but that I needed to know when her doctor appointments were because she would be getting many vaccinations during the first few appointments. He recommended that I see her the day before a doctor's appointment and that I not touch a dirty diaper. My friend and I followed the oncologist's advice and had lovely visits with the baby included.
Your transplant team should be giving you the recommendations that they have for post hospital protocol for diet, sanitation of your house, managing visitors and life in your community. Every center seems to have a different protocol. So, keep asking at your oncologist's office. The nurse practitioner may be the one who gives you the most information.
Good luck with your transplant. Mine went very smoothly as transplants go.
Nancy in Phila
One of my friends had a baby on the day of my transplant. My oncologist told me that I could visit the baby after I got home, but that I needed to know when her doctor appointments were because she would be getting many vaccinations during the first few appointments. He recommended that I see her the day before a doctor's appointment and that I not touch a dirty diaper. My friend and I followed the oncologist's advice and had lovely visits with the baby included.
Your transplant team should be giving you the recommendations that they have for post hospital protocol for diet, sanitation of your house, managing visitors and life in your community. Every center seems to have a different protocol. So, keep asking at your oncologist's office. The nurse practitioner may be the one who gives you the most information.
Good luck with your transplant. Mine went very smoothly as transplants go.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Returning Home After SCT
Thanks for your responses. Truly appreciate the help. Kate
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Classic Kate
Re: Returning Home After SCT
I had the air ducts cleaned before I left for the hospital. They were due anyway. I also was told not to change the kitty litter, so my daughter does it. (I had my SCT in January 2010, so I probably could take care of the litter now, but, hey, this is her one firm, fixed chore around here!!) We also bought Lysol wipes and switched to the antibacterial Swiffer floor cleaner.
I was pretty fragile when I first got home, and Snowmageddon hit the DC metro area, so I stayed in for several weeks until my energy returned. I wore a mask at the movies for a while and like others, I selected less busy times to go to stores until my white blood counts picked back up.
I was pretty fragile when I first got home, and Snowmageddon hit the DC metro area, so I stayed in for several weeks until my energy returned. I wore a mask at the movies for a while and like others, I selected less busy times to go to stores until my white blood counts picked back up.
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Returning Home After SCT
I had a SCT July 19 and was in the hospital 19 days. My family cleaned bed sheets, the bathroom and the couch before I returned home. I had hand sanitizer next to me at all times and any visitors cleaned their hands and didn't touch me. I used a mask for some early trips out of the house. I found out in Oct. that I am in remission and I am returning to work in Jan. I can't wait.
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Julie Ann Phillips
Re: Returning Home After SCT
As Dom and I had lived in this house for over 20+ years, there was NO WAY that I could turn this into a sterile environment for him.
We rented an apartment near Tulane Cancer Center for 6 months. (We live about 75 miles away from NOLA).
I put the word out on Facebook that we needed someone to sterilize our new apartment. Within hours, somebody turned me on to a young man that sprayed disinfectant like crazy. He was wonderful and said that he felt bad charging us about $100. What a doll!
Maybe do a google search?
This worked out great for us. We purposely got a 2nd floor unit so Dom could get some exercise during his recovery.
Best of luck to you!
We rented an apartment near Tulane Cancer Center for 6 months. (We live about 75 miles away from NOLA).
I put the word out on Facebook that we needed someone to sterilize our new apartment. Within hours, somebody turned me on to a young man that sprayed disinfectant like crazy. He was wonderful and said that he felt bad charging us about $100. What a doll!
Maybe do a google search?
This worked out great for us. We purposely got a 2nd floor unit so Dom could get some exercise during his recovery.
Best of luck to you!
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Nanette - Name: Nanette "Deaux"
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My dear husband, Dominic
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring of 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 62
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