My husband has been doing some preliminary test for a stem cell transplant. One of the steps in the process is the stem cell collection process and shots.
Is it reasonable for him to try to work during this preparation process?
He is a bit of a workaholic and refuses to sit still. I believe he thinks the only time he needs to sit still is when the stem cells are given back to him. I think he needs to pause when we begin the shots and collection.
Please advise.
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LadyLib - Name: LadyLib
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
Hi Lady Lib, When your husband starts the neupogen (or other med) injections to increase the number of stem cells in the marrow, he may experience some discomfort with that. I wanted to stay normally active at that time, but was really flattened by the procedure towards the last few days. Then, after the stem cell collection, I felt better again. My ASCT was not until a few weeks after that, since the stem cells were collected in early Dec., and then we had a break until mid January for the ASCT.
But it depends on the individual as to how they react to these treatments, so I guess that he should he should just keep in mind that these are powerful medications that probably he needs to slow down for.
But it depends on the individual as to how they react to these treatments, so I guess that he should he should just keep in mind that these are powerful medications that probably he needs to slow down for.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
They will probably give you chemo for stem cell mobilization. In our case, it was cyclophosphamide. It was enough to make dad bald, nauseaus, vomit, and lost about 5+ kilograms. Counts were low; in our case, we needed blood transfusions. Blood pressure could also drop when one was put on the apheresis machine. Neupogen shots, in our case, made dad's body ache badly, so much so that painkillers didn't work.
I think it would be quite hard for one to even think about work. But i know some folks got out from the hospital within one or two weeks. (our case was almost three weeks.) it was a tough journey that dad needed another two to three months to recover and get back to work.
Dad was always on his android tablet, playing whatever. When he was in thr hospital, he was in a quite bad shape that he didnt touch his tablet at all.
I dont,mean to discourage; im trying to share my experience. Please dont get diacouraged. Dad came out weak physically, but had a strong mind. He's back to work after ASCT 2 months ago.
Best of luck.
I think it would be quite hard for one to even think about work. But i know some folks got out from the hospital within one or two weeks. (our case was almost three weeks.) it was a tough journey that dad needed another two to three months to recover and get back to work.
Dad was always on his android tablet, playing whatever. When he was in thr hospital, he was in a quite bad shape that he didnt touch his tablet at all.
I dont,mean to discourage; im trying to share my experience. Please dont get diacouraged. Dad came out weak physically, but had a strong mind. He's back to work after ASCT 2 months ago.
Best of luck.
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
LadyLib,
I think it is possible for him to do it - I worked through the collection period right up until transplant. In the end, it will depend on how he is feeling. For me, keeping active went a long way towards distracting me from the issues at hand. (And therefore helped me keep my head on straight.)
For me, the discomfort caused by the growth factor shots was easier to deal with if I was not sitting still. Laying down or resting just seemed to make it ache even more, but it went away once collection began. Also, regardless of any mobilization chemo, the collection process does make you feel somewhat drained that day.
God bless you both through this journey,
Russ
I think it is possible for him to do it - I worked through the collection period right up until transplant. In the end, it will depend on how he is feeling. For me, keeping active went a long way towards distracting me from the issues at hand. (And therefore helped me keep my head on straight.)
For me, the discomfort caused by the growth factor shots was easier to deal with if I was not sitting still. Laying down or resting just seemed to make it ache even more, but it went away once collection began. Also, regardless of any mobilization chemo, the collection process does make you feel somewhat drained that day.
God bless you both through this journey,
Russ
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Russ - Name: Russ
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me, Myself, & I (and a few others)
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 41
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
Hi LadyLib,
EJ is a lot like your husband - a workaholic that won't sit still! During the collection process, he was finally sidelined when they put the port in. Unfortunately, the team that normally put the ports in for collections was not able to do EJs and the new team put it in at his neck. It was extremely uncomfortable! I thought he was going to yank the thing out himself!
EJ had his SCT within a week or so of his collection. He finally decided to stop working and limit his travels and exposure to others because he did not want to risk getting a cold or getting sick.
Lyn
EJ is a lot like your husband - a workaholic that won't sit still! During the collection process, he was finally sidelined when they put the port in. Unfortunately, the team that normally put the ports in for collections was not able to do EJs and the new team put it in at his neck. It was extremely uncomfortable! I thought he was going to yank the thing out himself!
EJ had his SCT within a week or so of his collection. He finally decided to stop working and limit his travels and exposure to others because he did not want to risk getting a cold or getting sick.
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
My only bump was when I was given the shots to increase my stem cells, but that only lasted a couple of days and caused some discomfort in my large bones, mostly my pelvis and thighs. I also had to do some test and in all spent a good part of 4 days at the hospital for procedures. I was told that it can take 4 tries (? if I remember right) to get enough stem cells. I only needed one.
Aside form that nothing changed for me.
Aside form that nothing changed for me.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
Your husband sounds a lot like me. I tried to work from my iPad during the harvest process but the IV's in each arm limited my ability. The injections caused some discomfort but didn't keep me from working. They harvested for two days to capture enough cells for two transplants. My guess is that once they give him the round of chemo he will focus on himself more than work. I returned to work six weeks after my Auto transplant. Best of luck to you!
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RickK - Name: RickK
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
LadyLib, I was on medical telework during my induction treatment and the SCT. I teleworked through much of the process. I felt fine after the first round of chemo and during the neupogen shots. The second round of chemo made me very sick, so after that I stopped working for a month or so, then started teleworking again.
I think being able to telework helped me with the process because I could focus on something other than cancer and drugs.
Dana
I think being able to telework helped me with the process because I could focus on something other than cancer and drugs.
Dana
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Working during stem cell transplant prep?
Thanks everyone. He will likely start his process the week of December 9. I am going to encourage him to just chill. We meet with the Vanderbilt team tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday for our consultation and calendar of events. He may go as early as the week of December 16th or maybe the week after Christmas. January 2014 is starting to look more reasonable.
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LadyLib - Name: LadyLib
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
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