I will be having a stem cell transplant February 1. I have told my family that once I am recovered, we will all take a trip to the beach. I am wondering how long it might take before my immune system is recovered enough for a trip to the Caribbean that would include snorkeling and scuba diving. I know that dirt, mold, fungus, etc are all things that need to be avoided (I have heard it can take a year). We live on a lake, so I am assuming that I won't be able to go in the water this summer.
I am a very active 61 year old - I teach Zumba, I ride horses, I snow ski, waterski, swim. Really, don't have (or want to) take the time for myeloma! I know that I will need to make changes - can't bear to think about not spending time with my beautiful 25-year-old mare ... she will wonder where her buddy has gone. But, I am thinking to the future and wondering what your experience has been with respect to recovery time.
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Re: Stem cell transplant recovery - how soon?
Hello, Debbie,
The type of vacation that you are discussing, we did in August after my wife's autologous stem cell transplant in February. We are not, however, scuba trained, but we did do the snorkeling.
We discussed this closely with the transplant doctor. Actually, the recommendation is that you do not do any public swimming for 1 year after the transplant. This depends on how well and how strong your white blood counts come back.
On further discussion, the doctor explained that a public swimming pool is a major source of bacteria, but he did not have a problem with swimming in the open salt water, as long as it was not an overly crowded area. As a result, we agreed that my wife only went in the ocean, but not the hotel's swimming pool.
She did catch a minor cold, probably due to the confines of the 3 hour flight. I was very worried, but a good dose of Robitussin and Sucrets controlled it and it did not last more than a day and a half.
It would be a judgement call, but I would discuss it with your doctor, and if your recovery is on track, go for it. Good luck.
The type of vacation that you are discussing, we did in August after my wife's autologous stem cell transplant in February. We are not, however, scuba trained, but we did do the snorkeling.
We discussed this closely with the transplant doctor. Actually, the recommendation is that you do not do any public swimming for 1 year after the transplant. This depends on how well and how strong your white blood counts come back.
On further discussion, the doctor explained that a public swimming pool is a major source of bacteria, but he did not have a problem with swimming in the open salt water, as long as it was not an overly crowded area. As a result, we agreed that my wife only went in the ocean, but not the hotel's swimming pool.
She did catch a minor cold, probably due to the confines of the 3 hour flight. I was very worried, but a good dose of Robitussin and Sucrets controlled it and it did not last more than a day and a half.
It would be a judgement call, but I would discuss it with your doctor, and if your recovery is on track, go for it. Good luck.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Stem cell transplant recovery - how soon?
My doctor said I could start swimming in a public pool 3 months after my stem cell transplant, which I did. I had no problems with getting sick from that, but it was May when I started swimming again, and by then it was past the cold / flu season, so perhaps that helped.
I was told that swimming in a lake / ocean was more risky than a public pool because you don't know what's in the ocean as far as pollution and bacteria, etc. At least a pool is treated for bacteria, etc.
It's interesting how doctor's opinions on swimming in a pool or lake / ocean can be so different.
I was told that swimming in a lake / ocean was more risky than a public pool because you don't know what's in the ocean as far as pollution and bacteria, etc. At least a pool is treated for bacteria, etc.
It's interesting how doctor's opinions on swimming in a pool or lake / ocean can be so different.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Stem cell transplant recovery - how soon?
Thank you both so much for sharing your experiences. Yes, it is confusing. I see it can be different for each person.
Probably more safe for me to just sit tight this summer, and maybe I can plan a trip in the fall! I do have access to a gym with a lap pool, and the lake is just outside our door so it will be difficult this summer to stay dry! But, we gotta do what we gotta do! Right?
Probably more safe for me to just sit tight this summer, and maybe I can plan a trip in the fall! I do have access to a gym with a lap pool, and the lake is just outside our door so it will be difficult this summer to stay dry! But, we gotta do what we gotta do! Right?
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