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medical fitness for stem cell transplant
I know every patient is unique and different, but are there general standards for determining if someone is medically fit enough to undergo a stem cell transplant? My mom is in her 60s, good health (well, except for the multiple myeloma) and she has a pig heart valve due to a congenital problem. Thanks for any input.
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
I don't know if a valve replacement would limit your mother from being eligible for a transplant. When I was preparing for my transplant last year at age 62 I had tests to evaluate my heart function, lung function, and what antibodies were present in my system. Of course my blood levels had been monitored extensively throughout induction treatment. So, what other things are looked at I don't know.
Ask the oncologist the next time your mother has an appointment. Has s/he suggested a transplant to your mother?
Nancy
Ask the oncologist the next time your mother has an appointment. Has s/he suggested a transplant to your mother?
Nancy
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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: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
Thanks, Nancy. Yes she has been referred for STC but they won't proceed until the cardiologist does all those tests you mentioned. Jumping through those hoops now! Wish care were better coordinated....
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
Stephanie,
The process to get to the transplant stage is quite frustrating -- seems like all you do is go to this doctor and that doctor (heart, lung, even dental x-ray) -- even though ours was coordinated within one site -- we were 90 miles away -- so took a couple trips and overnight stays. 60's according to primary oncologist is "young" -- so that's a good thing! Best wishes to you and your mom. Rex and Kay
The process to get to the transplant stage is quite frustrating -- seems like all you do is go to this doctor and that doctor (heart, lung, even dental x-ray) -- even though ours was coordinated within one site -- we were 90 miles away -- so took a couple trips and overnight stays. 60's according to primary oncologist is "young" -- so that's a good thing! Best wishes to you and your mom. Rex and Kay
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Kansas - Name: Rex
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
well, here we are in late February and finally mum has started getting injections to boost the STC count. If that goes well, harvesting may start on Monday. As you pointed out, it was many many doctor visits to get clearance; she had stress test, heart tests, lung tests, x rays, MRI, dental cleaning, and on and on. But now onto the next phase!
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stephanielimb
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
It actually gets a little easier now. Still a fair number of doctor visits, but mostly just to monitor blood levels and make sure things are going well. Is your mother going to have the transplant soon after harvest?
The transplant is easy. It's the weeks afterwards when your body is rebuilding its blood cells and you are recovering from the chemo that are the hardest, but not horrible. For me the fatigue was the hardest and didn't really begin to lessen for about 8 months.
Keep us up to date on how things progress. I'm doing my successful cell dance for your mother to produce lots of stem cells during her collection.
Nancy
The transplant is easy. It's the weeks afterwards when your body is rebuilding its blood cells and you are recovering from the chemo that are the hardest, but not horrible. For me the fatigue was the hardest and didn't really begin to lessen for about 8 months.
Keep us up to date on how things progress. I'm doing my successful cell dance for your mother to produce lots of stem cells during her collection.
Nancy
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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: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
I agee with all the above coment. I was 61 for my Auto and first Allo transplant. Passed the fitness testing and went fine. On 3/29 I am being given more Allo called Mini-allos in a series. I am now 66 and have the highest confidence in MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where I receive my major treatment.
I hope they find your mom to be a strong candidate and we all wish her the very best!
I hope they find your mom to be a strong candidate and we all wish her the very best!
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turbineman - Name: Hugh
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2006
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
She's in the thick of it now! Day 11 post transplant and is feeling as horrible as she has ever felt. The chemo is still making her vomit and she has other GI side effects as well. Hoping that the WBC count begins to go up soon!!!
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Anonymous
Re: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
Your mother should begin to feel much better, now. My cell counts started to rise dramatically about day 12 and was discharged home on day 14. I still had nausea for a few weeks, but that doesn't bother me so much. I just made sure that I had plastic lined trash cans strategically placed around the house. None of the anti-nausea medications worked for me.
When your mother comes home make sure that you have foods that she can tolerate. I found that I could tolerate and enjoyed fresh melons of all kinds. My sister was really good about finding really ripe cut up melon in the midst of winter during a couple of blizzards last year. For some reason sweet things were the first things that I could tolerate. Beef was the last thing that I finally was able to manage about 6 months after transplant. I lie, I still can't manage oranges 14 months later.
I'm sending your mother lots of energy and I'm doing cell dances for her. The best to both of you.
Nancy
When your mother comes home make sure that you have foods that she can tolerate. I found that I could tolerate and enjoyed fresh melons of all kinds. My sister was really good about finding really ripe cut up melon in the midst of winter during a couple of blizzards last year. For some reason sweet things were the first things that I could tolerate. Beef was the last thing that I finally was able to manage about 6 months after transplant. I lie, I still can't manage oranges 14 months later.
I'm sending your mother lots of energy and I'm doing cell dances for her. The best to both of you.
Nancy
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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: medical fitness for stem cell transplant
She has 575 cells!!! So very very happy. She feels a titch better today but had to shave her head 'cause her hair was falling out. In the grand scheme of things, she knows it's not a big deal but after a week of hell, it was a bit much. No mention of when she might go home yet but she's desperately looking forward to getting there. Thanks for all your encouragement; I also wish you continued good health. Stephanie
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stephanielimb
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