[Aclinkboca]

Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Aclinkboca on Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:55 pm

Has anybody had a stem cell transplant at the University of Miami's Sylvester Cancer Center? My doctor from Cleveland Clinic has mentioned that the University of Miami has excellent stem cell transplant facilities. I know that Moffitt in Tampa has an excellence reputation, too, but that is a five-hour drive from South Florida.

[lrankin]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by lrankin on Sat Mar 05, 2016 12:13 pm

My husband had his stem cell transplant at Moffitt. I mention that because he did it outpatient. That may be another factor to your questions? Moffitt definitely has a competency for outpatient stem cell transplants. We live in Cape Coral, Florida and had to stay a month in Tampa.

[Anonymous]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Anonymous on Tue Mar 08, 2016 11:33 pm

I had my stem cell transplant nearly 4 years ago and I live in South Florida. My medical insurance required that I go to either Moffitt in Tampa or Shands in Gainesville. I choose Tampa. The drive was a long 5 hours, but I was inpatient, so it was only really an issue when having to go there for pre-transplant tests and follow up tests.

Good luck

[Evaldes04]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Evaldes04 on Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:38 am

Anthony,

I'm currently at Sylvester Cancer Center getting my third treatment of RICE before they put in the transfusion line and begin harvesting my good cells for transplant. My doctor is Dr. Lossos and my stem cell doctor is Denise Pereira. Have you done the transplant yet and, if so, how did it go?

[JPC]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by JPC on Sun Mar 20, 2016 1:50 pm

Hi Eval:

What exactly is RICE? Regards,

[JimNY]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by JimNY on Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:37 pm

I suspect RICE is the

R- rituximab,
I - isfosfamide,
C - carboplatin, and
E- etoposide

regimen used to treat some forms of lymphoma. See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICE_(chemotherapy)

In the U.S., multiple myeloma and lymphoma account for most of the autologous stem cell transplants that are carried out.

[JPC]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by JPC on Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:34 pm

Thank you very much, JimNY. Rgds

[Aclinkboca]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Aclinkboca on Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:18 pm

Hi everybody,

How is everything going for you? I am scheduled for the stem cell harvesting on April 27 with placement of the line on April 26 and stem cell transplant the first week of May. I am going through all the verifications now. My doctor is Dr. Komanduri at Sylvester. One question I have is the placement of line and how long that takes. They told me that it's a quick procedure and the next day they start harvesting.

What has been your experience with Sylvester so far? It appears to have a good reputation. I was told that since I live in Boca, which in South Florida can be 1 hour or 2 1/2 hours, I need to stay in a hotel close to UM. I would appreciate any thoughts you have about Sylvester. I am trying to prepare myself both physically and mentally for this procedure.

Thank you.

[Evakdes04]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Evakdes04 on Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:50 pm

I'm currently sitting in the "harvesting" room on the 3rd floor at Sylvester. I went in on Monday to do the transfusion line and it took a little over an hour because my veins suck. But they got it done and it's going good. Tuesday I started harvesting and it went very well. Today I just finished the harvesting and I'm done with that, but my platelets are very low so they are giving me a transfusion of platelets. Then I'm headed home and waiting for a call with information to when I come back for stem cell.

[Aclinkboca]

Re: Stem cell transplant at Sylvester Cancer Center (Miami)?

by Aclinkboca on Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:13 am

Evakdes04

How are you doing? When do they think they will start your stem cell transplant? I was told that after the harvesting it is usually the next week or the following week after that depending on my health. I would rather do it quickly to start the process. Did you have a central line placed? I go in on April 26th for the central line placement and then on the 27th for the stem cell harvesting?

I wish you the best of luck on your transplant!