[InQ]

Anyone have a transplant at Stanford?

by InQ on Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:20 pm

We are about to go to our first consultation with a bone marrow transplant specialist. We've been on CyBorD [cyclophosphamide, Velcade [bortezomib], dexamethasone] for the past 5 months, and our oncologist referred us over to Stanford to a BMT specialist.

We are still undecided whether or not we are going to go through with BMT, but I think it is a good idea to at least hear the opinion of a BMT specialist.

[KimT]

Re: Anyone have a transplant at Stanford?

by KimT on Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:15 am

I have not yet had my transplant, but will be having it this summer at Stanford. I have met with Dr Arai. I am very comfortable with my decision and feel I am in good hands.

[InQ]

Re: Anyone have a transplant at Stanford?

by InQ on Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:10 pm

Kim, How did the consult go? What types of questions did the doctor ask, did you ask?

[KimT]

Re: Anyone have a transplant at Stanford?

by KimT on Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:38 am

I had my original consult last summer, right after diagnosis, at which time she mainly went over the process. My doctor suggested going ahead with 6-8 months of chemo first. So we did that and did not schedule a transplant.

Well, after a recent BMB, I still have a large number of plasma cells in my bone marrow and my protein in my blood is still low (I have amyloidosis with kidney involvement), so a few weeks ago we talked to her about a stem cell transplant (SCT) and she was in favor.

I saw Dr Arai a couple of weeks ago. I had done my research and am well aware of what it entails. I also had a very good handbook on the procedure that they gave me last summer. This time she went into greater detail of the timeline.

I asked a lot of questions, mainly about how it would work with caregivers, and how long I will be restricted from some activities. I live just outside of the "safe zone", so I will need to stay near Stanford for two weeks after I am released from the hospital. It is inpatient for about 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks staying close by.

[InQ]

Re: Anyone have a transplant at Stanford?

by InQ on Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:23 am

Thanks Kim. Very helpful. I was actually expecting a month stay inpatient, 2 weeks doesn't seem to bad or too dangerous.