My husband had reduced intensity chemo last August before his all stem cell transplant. He was 74 and had endured very intense chemo ten years ago to treat CLL (in fact, his transplant doctor feels the earlier chemo caused the MDS that necessitated transplant).
It seems to have done the job. For several months after transplant his own cells were stubbornly hanging on in the T cell line, creating a “mixed chimerism.” This meant he had to have a “boost” of donor cells (donor lymphocyte infusion). His anonymous international donor very kindly and generously donated again, and the DLI did the job to bring in a complete chimerism.
We trusted our brilliant doctor and the team at Mayo Rochester every step of the way. And “reduced intensity” was still VERY INTENSE.
Best of luck to you, we are so thankful for the miracle of this new life.