Mark
I wish you the best and my prayers are with you leading up to your transplant. Your bone marrow plasma cell percentages are really good and I hope that is a prognosticator that you will have very good results from your stem cell transplant.
AC
Forums
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Aclinkboca - Name: AC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
Good like, Mark. The ball is rolling now. I hope you have good harvest results and only need one day to harvest. Keep us posted.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
Today I had my data evalution meeting with the transplant doctor. He confirmed that all of my tests were very good and we will move directectly to mobilization of stem cells. I had my Hickman central line inserted today. My first Neupogen injection will be Friday morning (I'm still waiting to learn if my insurance company will let me do injections at home). Harvesting starts on Monday. Depending on how well harvesting goes, it looks like the week of July 18 for transplant.
The central line procedure itself was not bad. I was given "conscious sedation" I believe they called it "awake, but drugged enough to avoid any anxiety and no pain at all." I'm sore tonight, but it is much too early to pass judgement on the line.
The central line procedure itself was not bad. I was given "conscious sedation" I believe they called it "awake, but drugged enough to avoid any anxiety and no pain at all." I'm sore tonight, but it is much too early to pass judgement on the line.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
Hi Mark,
Good luck with the stem cell mobilisation and harvest.
You may experience some bone pain after taking Neupogen. In some cases, the pain can be extreme. People here in the forum have reported that they have had success reducing that pain with loratadine (Claritin) or paracetamol (Tylenol, acetaminophen).
Here are a couple of forum threads on the topic:
"Neupogen and bone pain (SCT prep)"
"Tylenol for Neupogen bone pain - dosage?"
"Extreme pain during Neupogen injections"
Cheers!
Good luck with the stem cell mobilisation and harvest.
You may experience some bone pain after taking Neupogen. In some cases, the pain can be extreme. People here in the forum have reported that they have had success reducing that pain with loratadine (Claritin) or paracetamol (Tylenol, acetaminophen).
Here are a couple of forum threads on the topic:
"Neupogen and bone pain (SCT prep)"
"Tylenol for Neupogen bone pain - dosage?"
"Extreme pain during Neupogen injections"
Cheers!
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
I've been receiving Neupogen injections twice a day since Friday. On the advice of folks on the forum and my own nurses, I took Claritan daily. I've experienced some pain and stiffness in my lower back and hips. At its worse, in the evenings, it is a dull throbbing ache that seems to be in time with my heart beat. I've also felt a bit sluggish (hard to pin down). I was told some people describe it as "flu like" symptoms and that seems accurate as far as the general achiness. It's not terrible, but noticeable.
I begin harvesting cells tomorrow. SCCA wants to collect enough for two transplants, so about 10 million cells. The goal is to do it in one day, but I'm prepared that it may take two or three. I'm told I may get relief from the achiness since we'll be making room in the bones again.
I begin harvesting cells tomorrow. SCCA wants to collect enough for two transplants, so about 10 million cells. The goal is to do it in one day, but I'm prepared that it may take two or three. I'm told I may get relief from the achiness since we'll be making room in the bones again.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
You may very well get it in one day. My husband did, and it was enough for two transplants as well. Good luck. Take stuff to do – iPad, books, etc. It is a long day. Keep us posted.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
We harvested 5.9 million of the goal of 10 million stem cells today. We will return to work tomorrow morning. The good news is that I have enough for a single transplant and I've avoided the extra- strength mobilizing drugs I've heard so much about.
The collection process for me was very uneventful. We were on the machine from about 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. I experienced no pain or other issues, except I did get hot the last half hour or so. That is because my blood was warmed before being returned to my body. I also had to take a couple pills to keep my potassium level up. I believe my platelets and red cells stayed high enough that we can get to work right away tomorrow, but they will take labs first to be sure.
The collection process for me was very uneventful. We were on the machine from about 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. I experienced no pain or other issues, except I did get hot the last half hour or so. That is because my blood was warmed before being returned to my body. I also had to take a couple pills to keep my potassium level up. I believe my platelets and red cells stayed high enough that we can get to work right away tomorrow, but they will take labs first to be sure.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
Great day two results: 16.65 million cells. That is a two-day grand total of 22.55. Our goal was 10 million, so we far exceeded that.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
So glad to hear! The big day is getting closer. Good luck!
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Mark's stem cell transplant adventure (SCCA)
We learned that we actually collected 7.4 million cells on Tuesday, not 16.65. The explanation of the counting error was not clear, but I won't freak out. I'm just happy we have plenty of cells to move forward.
I'm scheduled for chemo on Wednesday the 20th and infusion of my cells on July 22.
My team would like me to begin taking Zometa, so I'm scheduled for my first infusion today. I have mixed feelings about this only because my earlier doctor had not made this recommendation earlier.
We also visited the SCCA house (one of the clinic run housing options) and frankly we are a little disappointed in that option for our stay in Seattle. There is not a lot of living area, mostly a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. So we are taking this extra little time to explore a few other options, including living with my brother.
UPDATE: We decided to stay with my brother during the first ~30 days (we need to be within a 30 minute drive). The weekend before the work begins we've gone to our vacation home in Eastern Washington to enjoy the sun and relax.
I'm scheduled for chemo on Wednesday the 20th and infusion of my cells on July 22.
My team would like me to begin taking Zometa, so I'm scheduled for my first infusion today. I have mixed feelings about this only because my earlier doctor had not made this recommendation earlier.
We also visited the SCCA house (one of the clinic run housing options) and frankly we are a little disappointed in that option for our stay in Seattle. There is not a lot of living area, mostly a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. So we are taking this extra little time to explore a few other options, including living with my brother.
UPDATE: We decided to stay with my brother during the first ~30 days (we need to be within a 30 minute drive). The weekend before the work begins we've gone to our vacation home in Eastern Washington to enjoy the sun and relax.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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