[Davidg]

Re: Timing of stem cell reinfusion during ASCT process?

by Davidg on Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:40 am

I don't think it is an issue either way as melphalan peaks very rapidly (within an hour) and is then very rapidly cleared from the body. Its biological half life is about one hour, so after eight hours it will be down to 1% and after a day it is entirely gone.

Best wishes,

David

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Timing of stem cell reinfusion during ASCT process?

by Nancy Shamanna on Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:02 pm

I remember being told something like that too, David, about melphalan being cleared rapidly from the system, and having a short half life.

Also, if memory serves, I was given a lot of hydration by IV the night before the melphalan and also after the injection (it was over six years ago though, so it is difficult to remember this exactly). The hydration would help to clear the melphalan, I think.

[KarenaD]

Re: Timing of stem cell reinfusion during ASCT process?

by KarenaD on Tue Mar 29, 2016 1:54 pm

Thanks for the further clarifications, David and Nancy!

All the best,
Karen

[JohnBoy5456]

Re: Timing of stem cell reinfusion during ASCT process?

by JohnBoy5456 on Tue Mar 29, 2016 2:04 pm

Hi Karen!

Best of luck in the days ahead!

We are on Day 13 and hope to go home today! To answer your question, our transplant was on day two. But I've read somewhere that the chemotherapy part has done it's magic within hours.

Force yourself to walk as much as possible. It helps with the fatigue and nausea!

Good luck, and we will be rooting for you!