Hi Bev, I want to welcome you along with @katgob to Mayo Connect. Mayo Rochester is my home away from home, having had my BMT there coming up on 6 years in June. I was 65 at the time. Your husband (and you) will be in the best of hands.

I know you’ll have a ton of questions and I promise you’ll get answers here in the forum direct from members who have gone through the process of transplantation. It helps to speak with people who have walked the walk.
I do have a question for you first. You mentioned your husband now has MM. Will he be having an autologous transplant using his own cells or with cells from a donor?

Hi Bev. My husband David got his “buzz” haircut from one of the very kind nursing assistants right on Station 94 (in the Methodist hospital Eisenberg building where much transplant work happens). We knew this would happen and had packed a stylish hat that everyone admired.
Best of luck to you both.

Hi Bev,
My name is Deb and I am 61 years old; had my allogeneic/donor stem cell transplant in November of 2023 for CEL (chronic eosinophilic leukemia). I wanted to give my 2 cents on shaving hair. For me, with hair below my shoulders, I waited to buzz it until about a week after the intense chemo when I noticed it falling out quite a bit. I buzzed to about 1/4 inch so it was unlikely to nick or cut - but check with your doctors to make sure you can wait. I was very happy with that decision because for me it psychologically helped to look and feel like myself while going through the chemo. And when all my hair started falling out a few days after the buzz cut, it was easier for me to deal with lots of 1/4 pieces of hair vs long hair. So, bottom line - I'm glad I waited a little to cut it but glad I cut it before large clumps were falling out. Make sure you bring "chemo hats" because you'll want them for warmth and it helped me to not see my bald head every time I looked it the mirror. Also, regarding chemo side effects - it varies greatly. I was told of so may side effects that I was very scared going into the transplant. But my reality was much better - I had nausea which took about a week to get under control. But no other tough side effects. I know that was very lucky but I wanted to let you know it is possible that your husband may have very few side effects. That's not to say it's easy but it may not be as bad as they warn you of. Also, I was very anxious before transplant but the transplant teams are so organized and on top of things in the hospital that I actually felt almost no stress at all once I was admitted. All my best to you and your husband.

I had my hair the first time cut in 2 stages. From the middle of my back to my shoulders, then 1 inch all over 2weeks after chemo started. For my transplant, i had the dept that cuts hair come to my room and give me a buzz cut. She left me just a smidge, then i put on a beanie cap and again had no worries of my hair falling out in clumps.