The goal is getting your husband’s cancer under control and into remission. The ASCT is a means to accomplishing that. So really, the best thing to do is not dwell on the past or where he had the procedure done. It won’t accomplish anything but cause you unnecessary stress. Honestly, given your circumstances of being caregiver, with your only support system being out of state, I think you made a very reasonable decision to go ahead with the team in Austin. Your husband was already seriously ill and to relocate for an extended stay in another city 3 hours from your home may have compounded things even further for both of you. Please give yourself grace…you’re doing a fabulous job…no second guessing!

No matter where he had the transplant, his body would have gone through the similar challenges with the pre-conditioning chemo and the transplant itself. Being able to use his own cells, reduces the recovery time and some side effects because he won’t have any issues with cell rejection. But there is fatigue and sometimes nausea hanging around for a while. I say this frequently in this group, that stem cell transplant and recovery, whether auto or allo, is a marathon, not a race. Slow and steady gains are normal.

I thought you might like to read through a couple of helpful guides from Mayo for caregivers. The first is for you as a caregiver about how to make sure you’re taken care of too! Not just your husband.
The second link talks about the auto-transplant but also gives more detail as to what to do when your husband comes home in terms of infection control, diet, etc.
It will feel daunting but soon enough you’ll both fall into a rhythm. Look for small accomplishments instead of focusing on the broad picture. That is overwhelming for anyone.

Caregivers for BMT patients:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/support/#ch-tab-navigation
Info on Autologous transplant and after care: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/transplant-journey/#Infection_Prevention

I’m not sure which would be best doctor to contact about your husband’s memory issues. Perhaps talk with his oncology or transplant team to see if they can offer referrals to neurology. The tumor may have caused the lingering memory issues and he may benefit from some type of memory therapist.

It will be nice to have your husband home again. Do you have any questions about how to prepare your home for your husband’s return?