[Canuck Bob]

Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant

by Canuck Bob on Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:06 pm

I had mine, an auto SCT, on Sept. 21 last year. Stage one multiple myeloma and one of the more manageable versions.

I was real sick for about 4-5 days. Basically very tired but nausea was easily managed after day 1. I was out and about quickly, dismissed day 10, and was very blessed to have responded well after the transplant. I was very careful for a couple weeks about getting a cold or infection. My biggest problem was drinking enough water and fluids, when well hydrated I did much better

I was back to making sales calls on the phone and computer during week 2 and made my first field trip about week 4-5. I have worked almost non-stop through the whole last year and a bit since diagnosis. I am one of the lucky ones in that I tolerate cancer meds better than some.

Mynumbers dropped like a rock post transplant. I have been in official remission for 3 months. My continuing treatment is Revlimid and Zometa.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant

by Eric Hofacket on Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:42 am

I had my stem cell transplant late last September at City of Hope and my experience was a bit atypical so do not let it scare you. I was given some chemo and Neupogen I injected myself to stimulate the stem cell production for harvesting. Everything was going well until the night before I was to have my Hickman Cather implanted at City of Hope. I was staying in the patient cottages with my girlfriend and started developing back pain in the evening. It became really intense as the night went on. I maxed out my dose of morphine, which I had for peripheral neuropathy, and it did nothing for the pain. I got no sleep that night and the pain was so intense I was having difficulty breathing and could not lie down. Walking was difficult. I should have called the emergency number but did not. I had read that harvesting the stem cells can make the pain go away but that was two days away and I did not know if I could make it through the weekend with the pain. The thought of living with it indefinitely was something I could not do. It was the worst pain in my life so far. We went in the morning for the Hickman implant and I immediately sought help from the anesthesiologist.. He gave me some Demerol which helped a little bit with the pain. They elected to put me out completely for the Hickman implant which they normally do not do. I woke up and the pain returned within minutes. They prescribed me some Oxytocin which I took immediately hoping it would help. I was also able to finally take some ibuprofen. They did not want me taking any ibuprofen before the surgery because of bleeding concerns. The pain finally started too subsided and by Monday when I started stem cell harvesting it was completely gone. I attribute this to the ibuprofen reducing swelling and not the high power opiate pain killers. The stem cell harvesting went really well and City of Hope told me I set the record that month for the amount harvested. Maybe that was why back hurt so much more that most people experience.
The stem cell transplant itself went well for me. I thought I would go stir crazy being in the hospital for three weeks and brought a lot of reading material to pass the time. I did not read any of it as I could not concentrate well because of all the ant-nausea drugs I was on. I slept a lot which helped pass the time. I lost all my hair over all my body and did not eat for several days. I threw up or I should say I dry heaved a lot. Getting my daily shower, which I could do on my own, was the highlight of my day. Luckily I did not get any mouth sores which others have said was the worst part for them. I was also able to kick my opiate dependency while at City of Hope which was huge for me. I was discharged after three weeks that passed a lot quicker than I thought it would. I lost a lot of weight and waking to my mail box was a challenge and became my daily exercise. In the next few months my appetite returned and I regained 30 lbs. By January I was starting to swim again, working up to 3000 yds three times a week. By February I was doing 25 mile bike rides and was skiing again in March. I never thought I would recover this quickly but it is amazing what a difference a few months makes. I have no reservations or fear about going the transplant process again if I had to, but the back pain from the stem cell harvesting still scares me. Fortunately they got enough stem cells from me for several more transplants should I need them so I should not ever have to go through the harvesting process again.

[RedDog]

Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant

by RedDog on Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:10 am

I want to thank all of you for your post. The information you provided was very helpful. A quick update: It took me a month to somewhat recover from the transplant and start getting my strength back. It was a frustrating process, but each and every day, I got up and got moving (with the never ending support and encouragement from my wife). Last month I had another MRI which indicated no major issues as did the results of the blood test. I was finally cleared to return to work and on the drug Revlimid, most likely for a long time. Thanks again for the posts.....

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant

by Nancy Shamanna on Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:07 am

You are welcome Art. Good to hear from you and know that you are recovering from your HDT and return of the stem cells into your system. Don't you just think it is akin to having surgery in terms of recovery time? Some friends of mine have had varying reasons to have abdominal surgery recently, and it takes about six weeks to start to feel better and get some energy back. Anyways, did wonder how it all turned out, and best wishes to your wife and you!