I started driving at 6 weeks post transplant when I drove my sister to the airport to fly home. I had no problems doing it, but wouldn't have wanted to have to drive a distance at that point. I live 15 minutes from the airport.
Nancy in Phila
Forums
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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: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
It was a difficult time for my husband and it was imperative that someone be there to flush his port, prepare meals, keep things ultra clean, take him to the doctor etc. One night he got sick at 3 am, and I ended up with him in the back of a taxi going to the hospital.
Sometimes, when people have surgery, the hospital releases patients to rehab for 5-6 days until they are ready for home. Something like that might work for you. Or if there is someone in your church or a neighbor that could stop by and check in.
Sometimes, when people have surgery, the hospital releases patients to rehab for 5-6 days until they are ready for home. Something like that might work for you. Or if there is someone in your church or a neighbor that could stop by and check in.
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BaxtersMom
Re: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
I had an inpatient auto transplant because I didn't have a caretaker who could be with me during the transplant so the option of an outpatient transplant was off the table. My hospital stay for the transplant was 17 days. I had arranged my sister to stay with me for 2 weeks after I got home from the transplant. I'm not sure my doctor and the hospital would have let me do the transplant without assuring them that I had a caretaker when I got home from the hospital.
As it turned out, I would have been just fine on my own at home after the transplant. I could have driven myself to my followup appointments and taken care of myself just fine. But I was glad my sister was there to help me if something had gone wrong.
BUT, many people are not strong enough to take care of themselves without help ... because you do not know what you will feel like and how quickly you will start to recover from the transplant. I had absolutely no appetite after my transplant and it magically returned the day I got home from the hospital. But if it hadn't, I might have needed more help.
I would encourage you at the very least to arrange for a neighbor or friend to be your caretaker for at least 2 weeks after you get home from the transplant.
As it turned out, I would have been just fine on my own at home after the transplant. I could have driven myself to my followup appointments and taken care of myself just fine. But I was glad my sister was there to help me if something had gone wrong.
BUT, many people are not strong enough to take care of themselves without help ... because you do not know what you will feel like and how quickly you will start to recover from the transplant. I had absolutely no appetite after my transplant and it magically returned the day I got home from the hospital. But if it hadn't, I might have needed more help.
I would encourage you at the very least to arrange for a neighbor or friend to be your caretaker for at least 2 weeks after you get home from the transplant.
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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: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
Hello to Goingitalone and to all of you who had an ASCT.
I just want to mention that I'm amazed at how well some patients did after their transplants. I envy those patients when they admit that they could've taken care of themselves. I was not one of those lucky patients. I'm not sure if some folks did so well based on the amount of melphalan they were given prior to transplant. I was given the maximum possible dosage and struggled mightily post transplant. I also had myasthenia gravis at the time of the transplant, but the ASCT has miraculously "cured" it. I was also only a couple of years removed from my breast cancer treatment, so it's possible my body just was not yet ready to handle something of this magnitude.
I definitely could not have taken care of myself. I was not allowed to do a lot of things that a person living alone normally takes care of. What I was told I could not do: laundry, cooking, cleaning, gardening, handling pets (we have Yorkies), spending time in the sun, etc. My husband was expected to hook me up every 8 hours to a drip for several days after leaving the hospital. The distance I walked without needing to stop and rest was a very short distance (possibly about a half a small block) and for the first time in my life I required the use of a handicap tag.
I had other chemo-related side effects that required my husband's assistance for handling. I lost my taste buds and, because of low potassium levels, we had to find foods to build that up (ex: baked potato). I could not have driven a car during the early stages after having been released from the hospital, which is a very critical time when things can go wrong. I did not have the stamina or strength to do the driving or the other activities that would keep me healing.
Please find help because you never know how you will react after the transplant ... just in case. Thanks and good luck.
PS: I will probably have my second ASCT in about 4 months. I'm not looking forward to it, but I know how important it is do it anyway.
I just want to mention that I'm amazed at how well some patients did after their transplants. I envy those patients when they admit that they could've taken care of themselves. I was not one of those lucky patients. I'm not sure if some folks did so well based on the amount of melphalan they were given prior to transplant. I was given the maximum possible dosage and struggled mightily post transplant. I also had myasthenia gravis at the time of the transplant, but the ASCT has miraculously "cured" it. I was also only a couple of years removed from my breast cancer treatment, so it's possible my body just was not yet ready to handle something of this magnitude.
I definitely could not have taken care of myself. I was not allowed to do a lot of things that a person living alone normally takes care of. What I was told I could not do: laundry, cooking, cleaning, gardening, handling pets (we have Yorkies), spending time in the sun, etc. My husband was expected to hook me up every 8 hours to a drip for several days after leaving the hospital. The distance I walked without needing to stop and rest was a very short distance (possibly about a half a small block) and for the first time in my life I required the use of a handicap tag.
I had other chemo-related side effects that required my husband's assistance for handling. I lost my taste buds and, because of low potassium levels, we had to find foods to build that up (ex: baked potato). I could not have driven a car during the early stages after having been released from the hospital, which is a very critical time when things can go wrong. I did not have the stamina or strength to do the driving or the other activities that would keep me healing.
Please find help because you never know how you will react after the transplant ... just in case. Thanks and good luck.
PS: I will probably have my second ASCT in about 4 months. I'm not looking forward to it, but I know how important it is do it anyway.
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Tishpa - Name: Tishpa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
My hospital would not do a transplant unless I had a caregiver. I had a lot of nausea problems and it came on suddenly. There was no way I could drive myself anywhere for two months. I did an inpatient transplant but had to stay in the area several weeks after being released till my numbers and levels were better. I could not touch dirty clothes, so someone had to do laundry, also dishes, clean wash clothes and towels, only use once, also extra cleaning in bathrooms etc on daily. I was blessed to have a husband to care for me and my two sons and two sisters came in to give hubby a break.
Wishing you the best and check for some back up in your community. The church may be able to do a calendar of days someone is available to help out.
Wishing you the best and check for some back up in your community. The church may be able to do a calendar of days someone is available to help out.
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Music box lady - Name: Margie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
Stockpile easy to prepare food before you go. Have lots of soup on hand, and small meals in the freezer than can be easily microwaved. Have cans of Ensure or Boost, GatorAde, and other fluids that you like.
Make sure you know what transport is available should you need to get medical help on short notice (taxi? ambulance? friend that is available?). My husband did short drives at the 3-4 week point, but as you pointed out - the experience is different for everyone.
Make sure you know what transport is available should you need to get medical help on short notice (taxi? ambulance? friend that is available?). My husband did short drives at the 3-4 week point, but as you pointed out - the experience is different for everyone.
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rumnting - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/9/11
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Doing a stem cell transplant without a caregiver
Hi Goingitalone,
I smile when I reflect back on my autologous stem cell transplant in 2007.
My lead physician at Karmanos Cancer Center at the Detroit Medical Center said the following to me:
"No 24-hour care the first two weeks post-transplant = No Transplant "
I wish the very best for you.
Tom in Michigan
I smile when I reflect back on my autologous stem cell transplant in 2007.
My lead physician at Karmanos Cancer Center at the Detroit Medical Center said the following to me:
"No 24-hour care the first two weeks post-transplant = No Transplant "
I wish the very best for you.
Tom in Michigan
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Tom in MI - Name: Tom in MI
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 58
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