I still don't have a firm date, but it looks like my outpatient stem cell transplant will be mid-June. I know my wife and I will be living away from home in apartments near the clinic for about 30 days. The apartments are furnished and apparently pretty well appointed with linens and kitchen items, etc.
What I'm trying to figure out is what I will want to pack and bring with me. Obviously I'm not going to "pack everything" and move from my home to the apartment, but on the other hand I don't want to live out of a suitcase and have only the bear minimum. I want enough to be comfortable and worry-free during this time.
My question for those of you that have had a stem cell transplant and had to live away from home, is what do I want to bring?
I think many of the answers will be obvious and the answers will be very personal and vary widely. Even so, I'm guessing there may be some things that aren't obvious at all and you only discover when you're living away from home or experiencing some of the side effects.
Forums
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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: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
I had my transplant inpatient, but I packed as if I was going on a vacation where I would be staying in one place for the duration. I brought my favorite pillow and wool throw. Lots of comfortable, warm clothes, athletic shoes, slippers and plenty of underwear in case you develop diarrhea. My doctor had told me to bring lots to do because I would get bored. So, I bought an eReader and loaded it with a variety of books so I would have a selection to choose from depending on how I felt and my concentration level. Of course I had my laptop, cell phone, iPod and DVD's. Now I wouldn't need the DVD's because I would be able to stream most everything I would want to watch.
How far from home will you be staying? If not too, too far away someone should be able to bring you anything that you might find that you need/want as your stay continues. Bring some photos with you so that you have your family with you to cheer up the apartment.
By mentally preparing myself for a vacation I think that I managed to pass the time without too much difficulty. I didn't spend the day in bed on any day except the one that my stem cells were reinfused. And, that was only because they had given me Ativan and that zonked me out for the day. I was up doing things all day every day. The days that my numbers bottomed out I was more quiet than usual, but still walked every day and didn't stay in bed.
I know that you will be hearing from those who had outpatient transplants who will give you more suggestions. I wish you all the best as you get close to the time of the transplant and in going through it with minimal difficulty.
Nancy in Phila
How far from home will you be staying? If not too, too far away someone should be able to bring you anything that you might find that you need/want as your stay continues. Bring some photos with you so that you have your family with you to cheer up the apartment.
By mentally preparing myself for a vacation I think that I managed to pass the time without too much difficulty. I didn't spend the day in bed on any day except the one that my stem cells were reinfused. And, that was only because they had given me Ativan and that zonked me out for the day. I was up doing things all day every day. The days that my numbers bottomed out I was more quiet than usual, but still walked every day and didn't stay in bed.
I know that you will be hearing from those who had outpatient transplants who will give you more suggestions. I wish you all the best as you get close to the time of the transplant and in going through it with minimal difficulty.
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: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
Thank you Nancy. Luckily we will be within an hour of home and I have lots of family that can bring things to me, but I'm still hoping to prepare as much as I can. Like you, I'm trying to approach the time positively by preparing for the stay instead of dreading the treatment.
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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: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
My husband's transplant is scheduled for the first of June and he will be an inpatient for the actually chemo and the transplant infusion, but will be discharged the day after the infusion and we will be staying at the Extended Stay America close to the med center for the next 30 days. We only live about an hour away but with traffic that could take up to two hours if it gets bad, so we must stay close.
We are trying to decide what to take as well. We will take our pillows for sure and pack like a 10-day vacation or so. There are laundry facilities in the hotel. We will take our laptops and can stream movies and TV, books, etc. The room has a flat screen TV with cable and free wifi . There is a grocery just down the street and our room has a full kitchen with limited utensils, but I plan on bringing some from home to fill in. We have a little dog that is our baby and after the first week or so he can join us if we wish due to the hotel being pet friendly and it being ok'd by our doctor. He only weighs 6 pounds.
Good luck to you and I plan on posting updates during our transplant saga.
We are trying to decide what to take as well. We will take our pillows for sure and pack like a 10-day vacation or so. There are laundry facilities in the hotel. We will take our laptops and can stream movies and TV, books, etc. The room has a flat screen TV with cable and free wifi . There is a grocery just down the street and our room has a full kitchen with limited utensils, but I plan on bringing some from home to fill in. We have a little dog that is our baby and after the first week or so he can join us if we wish due to the hotel being pet friendly and it being ok'd by our doctor. He only weighs 6 pounds.
Good luck to you and I plan on posting updates during our transplant saga.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
I had my stem cell transplant late last summer at Memorial Sloan Kettering and stayed most of the time in an apartment nearby. I overpacked! I brought way too many clothes. The only clothes I needed were comfy clothes – sweat pants, t shirts and sweatshirts. The sweatshirts were important because, except when I was outside in the heat of the day, I was usually cold from the air conditioning. A few comfy blankets are nice too, for naps on top of the bed.
During different stages I was more or less interested in TV, and reading and using my computer –but honestly, concentration and desire were hard to be found. My 27 year old daughter was my caregiver and she brought a few things to decorate and make the place feel like home – photos, magazines, and even some things to put on the walls.
The one area that we ended up bringing more from home after the first few days was for the kitchen. We brought sharp knives, a cutting board, and our coffee maker from home. There was a coffee maker there but it was a small one like in a hotel room. Food and drink was a real issue for me during recovery. I had to force myself. But my daughter wanted to cook and there was no problem with her appetite!
The one last thing is pretty obvious – bring stuff for the caregiver! She (or he) needs distraction and things to do more than the patient.
Best of luck to you!
During different stages I was more or less interested in TV, and reading and using my computer –but honestly, concentration and desire were hard to be found. My 27 year old daughter was my caregiver and she brought a few things to decorate and make the place feel like home – photos, magazines, and even some things to put on the walls.
The one area that we ended up bringing more from home after the first few days was for the kitchen. We brought sharp knives, a cutting board, and our coffee maker from home. There was a coffee maker there but it was a small one like in a hotel room. Food and drink was a real issue for me during recovery. I had to force myself. But my daughter wanted to cook and there was no problem with her appetite!
The one last thing is pretty obvious – bring stuff for the caregiver! She (or he) needs distraction and things to do more than the patient.
Best of luck to you!
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RebeccaB - Name: Rebecca
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
Hi Mark
One thing I brought and used quite often was a good bucket, to use in the event of getting sick in the car. We were only 30 minutes away from the out patient facility but, during high traffic times it could take 2 hours to get to and from.
We brought depends and a shower chair, but I didn't need either of these, but it was good to have on hand just in case.
Warm clothes are a must because those rooms are chilly.
I also kept mint hard candies, crackers and water on hand in the car (which came in handy).
As a side note, we also brought an indoor air purifier and requested they change the air filer in the room. We brought lots of Lysol wipes.
Best wishes
Rhonda
One thing I brought and used quite often was a good bucket, to use in the event of getting sick in the car. We were only 30 minutes away from the out patient facility but, during high traffic times it could take 2 hours to get to and from.
We brought depends and a shower chair, but I didn't need either of these, but it was good to have on hand just in case.
Warm clothes are a must because those rooms are chilly.
I also kept mint hard candies, crackers and water on hand in the car (which came in handy).
As a side note, we also brought an indoor air purifier and requested they change the air filer in the room. We brought lots of Lysol wipes.
Best wishes
Rhonda
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Rhonda - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
I found that having my iPod with me was invaluable. Being able to listen to the music I liked was comforting while being away from home. As a bonus, I was able to stream a particular radio station that I like through wi-fi. I was in the hospital for my transplant, so that was clearly a different thing from having one on an outpatient basis. For me, though, the music would have been helpful either way.
Best of luck on the transplants to both you, Mark, and your husband, Dogmom!!
Best of luck on the transplants to both you, Mark, and your husband, Dogmom!!
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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
Re: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
A couple of other things that I thought of.
One, you might consider bringing a couple of extra small trash cans with a box of plastic liners to use in them. I had nausea for quite a long time in the hospital and after being discharged. Having trash cans strategically placed around the house made it so much easier on me when I got sick. Then I just pulled the plastic bag out and disposed of it. Not to say that you will have my same problem, but better to be prepared.
Two, I have 2 cats at home and they were a great comfort to me after I came home. At Day 14 when I was discharged, they joined me on my bed for a nap as they usually do. I didn't take care of their litter boxes for about 2 months. So, definitely ask your doctor when it will be safe for you to have your dog come stay with you.
Nancy in Phila
One, you might consider bringing a couple of extra small trash cans with a box of plastic liners to use in them. I had nausea for quite a long time in the hospital and after being discharged. Having trash cans strategically placed around the house made it so much easier on me when I got sick. Then I just pulled the plastic bag out and disposed of it. Not to say that you will have my same problem, but better to be prepared.
Two, I have 2 cats at home and they were a great comfort to me after I came home. At Day 14 when I was discharged, they joined me on my bed for a nap as they usually do. I didn't take care of their litter boxes for about 2 months. So, definitely ask your doctor when it will be safe for you to have your dog come stay with you.
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: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
I have a dog and cat. Cat sleeps with me (wife inherited my cat box duties on diagnosis). Kids will be watching them while we are away. But I obviously will be asking when it is ok to go back to business as usual when I return home.
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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: Stem cell transplant away from home - what to bring?
If we had lived close enough to home to come home instead of staying away, our doctor said it is ok for my husband to be around our little house dog. Just not in his face or cleaning up after him when he goes to potty. The hotel we will be staying at is pet friendly and after a week or so we are considering bringing him up to stay with us. I think it would lift my husband's spirits.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
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