Hello,
My husband was diagnosed in March of 2015. He is now 54 years old. He is a wonderful father and husband and enjoys playing and coaching our church softball teams, traveling, and is an avid golfer. He started having severe back pain in October 2014 which escalated until he eventually couldn't run, couldn't play golf, and ultimately was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March of this year (2015).
We've gone through the Cybor D (Velcade, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone) regimen with Zometa and initially had good results, then they leveled off. In September 2015 we switched to Revlimid and had good results for 1 month. We are now preparing for a stem cell transplant at John Hopkins in Baltimore in early January.
I would love to hear from other people who have gone through the stem cell transplant process or people who have helped their loved one through it and if you or your loved one is newly diagnosed, I would be happy to share our experiences with you. It is frightening but you have to fight, surround yourself with loved ones and stay positive!
God bless you,
Flo
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FloBro - Name: Flo Adams Brotzman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Stem Cell Transplant - John Hopkins Baltimore
Flo,
First, thank you for supporting your husband during this challenging time in both your lives. I went through a stem cell transplant in 2014 after a initial induction therapy of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (VRD). It's a challenge, but you'll find links to others stories using the search function on this site.
My most important advice is to encourage your husband to move as much as possible throughout his time as an inpatient. Walk, ride a stationary bike, or simple stretching ... but make sure to move.
Good luck and best wishes!
Kully
First, thank you for supporting your husband during this challenging time in both your lives. I went through a stem cell transplant in 2014 after a initial induction therapy of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (VRD). It's a challenge, but you'll find links to others stories using the search function on this site.
My most important advice is to encourage your husband to move as much as possible throughout his time as an inpatient. Walk, ride a stationary bike, or simple stretching ... but make sure to move.
Good luck and best wishes!
Kully
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kullybunnny1 - Name: Kully
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Stem Cell Transplant - John Hopkins Baltimore
I am in a very similar position as FloBro.
How does one feel during / after a stem cell transplant Weak, tired, sore, nauseous?
How does keeping moving help the process?
How does one feel during / after a stem cell transplant Weak, tired, sore, nauseous?
How does keeping moving help the process?
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scoob - Name: dave
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Stem Cell Transplant - John Hopkins Baltimore
Well, everyone is different. My husband had a stem cell transplant in May 2014. NOTHING could have prepared us for this process. Shots in stomach getting ready for harvest. Port being put in. The chemo took maybe 35 minutes to be given. Then the transplant is given within an hour of chemo. It was 3 days before the chemo hit and he got so so sick. He was throwing up sick for 2 weeks. He was told over and over drink, eat, and walk. But he was so sick he could not get out of bed. That was the case with most of the patients. BUT 3 of the 16 people that had transplant within days of each other. These 3 did not get sick. 1 was walking 5 miles a day in the hospital.
10 days in hospital, 30 days at Hope Lodge. It was 3 months after getting him home that he could even walk. BUT everyone is different. He has been in remission for 18 months now, so it was worth it.
10 days in hospital, 30 days at Hope Lodge. It was 3 months after getting him home that he could even walk. BUT everyone is different. He has been in remission for 18 months now, so it was worth it.
Re: Stem Cell Transplant - John Hopkins Baltimore
Hello, Scoob:
Under the useful links thread at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" part of the forum, there are topics of interest to new readers of the forum. One of those topics is several Beacon posters who have journaled their stem cell transplant experiences.
As Mary stated, even though as patients we mostly know directly of our own experiences, we know that the overall experience can be very, very different between patients. Most people find it difficult (I have found the word grueling used). Some "skate" through the procedure. Its impossible to predict. But if you come out the other end with a good result, it will be worth it. Good luck
Under the useful links thread at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" part of the forum, there are topics of interest to new readers of the forum. One of those topics is several Beacon posters who have journaled their stem cell transplant experiences.
As Mary stated, even though as patients we mostly know directly of our own experiences, we know that the overall experience can be very, very different between patients. Most people find it difficult (I have found the word grueling used). Some "skate" through the procedure. Its impossible to predict. But if you come out the other end with a good result, it will be worth it. Good luck
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JPC - Name: JPC
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