Hi Marylou! So many of us know that feeling of being excited and scared at the same time while waiting for that stem cell transplant. I found actually having a confirmed date helped me switch mindsets from having a little fear of the unknown to finally being able to plan for the event. I’m betting it will help you too.

Sounds like you are all set with lodging. It helps to have that ‘home base’. My transplant was also as an outpatient. It was nice to be out of a hospital setting right away and into our home away from home. My husband would have small meals ready for me in the fridge so I could get up and grab food whenever I felt like eating. I took walks, naps, watched tv, did a little writing, reading, watercolors. It felt less like being a patient when I wasn’t confined to a hospital room all the time. There were daily returns to the clinic though for blood draws and infusions so I never felt apprehensive about not being admitted.

Here are some of my favorite links. They cover most everything. But each person has their own ideas of what to bring as well. Remember that this is your home away from home so if there are little things that you routinely have at home you’ll want them with you in the hotel suite.

This link to Mayo Clinic’s Caregiver guide is fairly comprehensive as to the needs of the patient for safety with food, living conditions and guidelines for getting through some of the earlier challenges.
Dana Farber will have their own protocol to follow but these are basic general guidelines that will be similar.

When you click on the link, check the headings and the menu listings. You’ll see:
Welcome. Caregiver support, Transplant Journey and More
Also, make sure when you look to the “Transplant Journey” that you scroll down to Allogenic Transplant segment.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/support/#ch-tab-navigation
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Another great guide for the Post Allogenic patient care is from Memorial Sloan Kettering. https://www.mskcc.org/pdf/cancer-care/patient-education/leaving-hospital-after-your-allogeneic-transplant

This link has some repetitive information but it also has detailed lists of what to pack for long term. I posted this a couple months ago to a newer member who just went through her Allo transplant, @katgob. She’s doing fantastic and just passed her critical 100 day point!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1059221/
Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you!

Hi Mary Lou, just checking in to see how you’re doing! I’m sure you’re getting a little antsy, nervous, excited, apprehensive…all of the above! 😉 I hope you’re all settled in now at your lodging. Was this a week of re-testing for you?
Are you still on target to have your central line placed on Aug 29th?