Stem Cell Transplant Decision & Success

I was happy to see Lori post, as I wanted to see how all is going! I started my testing mid-March last year, all the preps and tests and paperwork necessary to be done before the transplant. Early April i started the preconditioning chemo. Your sisters gift gives me the chills. I was a platelet donor for 25 years, and once i got platelets in 2021 from the effect of chemo on my body, I felt the gratitude others got when getting my platelets.
I wish I knew my donor. Give your sister an extra hug for those of us who had anonymous donors.
Above all else read the posts other people wrote above again and again. WISDOM through real life experience.

Went through all classes . Getting chemo now . Side effects have been minimal.
Transplant 3/11

Hi, @jbforet.
Wishing you all the best on your transplant next week. 🙏💕

Wishing you safe travels along this journey to your 2nd chance at life! Your new re-birth day will be March 11.
While there may be some challenging days ahead, the other side of transplant brings hope for a long and healthy future!
I’ll be thinking of you next week! I’m here, along with all the other BMT posse members if you have any questions for us.
Stay strong, stay positive! You’ve got this!

Hi @jbforet. Thinking about you today…Day +3 after your BMT. How are you feeling?

Just waiting for my transplant. Scared, nervous. Hiw long will I be in the hospital and after. What do i need to take with me..
Thank you so much...

Hi @anita1959 I’m so glad to see you here! We’ve got a great group of members who have been through the SCT process. They’re here, along with me, to answer any questions and do a little hand holding through your entire journey.
Believe me, you’re not alone when it comes to being scared or nervous when waiting for a stem cell transplant. Pretty sure all of us here in the BMT support group felt the same trepidation beforehand. However, having the transplant has given us an all important 2nd chance at life…a risk worth taking, don’t you think?

There can be different protocol for each hospital or transplant center. So it’s difficult for me to say how long you’ll be in the hospital. Some, such as Mayo-Rochester, where I had my transplant 6 years ago, SCT patients are Out-patients. Meaning we had our pretreatment and infusion in the hospital, but our recovery and convalescence was offsite an independent lodging of our choice.
Most places do expect the patient to be near the clinic for around 100 days.
Before I toss out a lot of information that might not be useful for you let me ask you a few questions.
Are you having a Allogenic transplant (using donor cells) or an Autologous transplant using your own cells?
What information have you gotten from your transplant team for their protocol?

Not sure, but I think allogenic transplant. Yes we will need a place to stay. We are going to Jacksonville. That's what I thought 100 days. You know when you talk to people about your cancer they don't understand feel all alone, iam glad I know your here. Thank you so much...

Hi Anita, I know exactly what you mean. Cancer itself can be so isolating because of a lack of understanding from the people around you. Then add a bone marrow transplant to the equation and even fewer people can relate what you’re going through.
I can promise you, you’re not alone here. That’s one of the reasons I became a mentor for Connect in the bone marrow transplant support group. I knew of no one who had undergone the same treatments. It can make such a difference to be able to speak to someone who has walked along that same journey. This group has grown so much over the past few years and our members are more than happy to help navigate this new path.

As luck would have it, there are several members who have had their transplants at Mayo-Jacksonville. A couple of them have already replied in a similar discussion posted below. It was started by new member @slingaf (Samara) who will be having her transplant in Jacksonville in the next month. Read through all of the following replies. I think you’ll find them helpful! Here’s the link:

~Please help me navigate this process:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/please-help-me-navigate-this-process/
Another link will lead you to Mayo Clinic’s Caregivers guide…it’s also for patients. There are several items on the menu so take your time to peruse each offering. Also, make sure to click the ‘more’ arrow on the end. There is a section for Jacksonville.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/transplant-journey/#ch-tab-navigation
What diagnosis led you to needing a BMT?

jbforet,
I hope you are taking it a day at a time. My one-year anniversary was yesterday. I can hardly believe i had a transplant from a donor overseas. Nearly every step happens once. Tests, preconditioning, chemo doses, transplant of cells. Hair loss.
Side effects may happen, but the transplant team is right with you every day the first hundred days. We are here online if you need to let off steam to those who know. I know i was very tired from the meds days after the transplant. Nausea that persisted, that the med team found an answer for.
At just about a month, the biggest deals are done. I am so happy you took this choice for a new path for your life.