Diane and @davi0937 While waiting for other BMT members to pop in with their experiences with pets post BMT, I thought I’d toss in 3 websites with informational guidelines for ‘when you go home’. These are pretty standard throughout the BMT world.
From Mayo Clinic: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/transplant-journey/#Infection_Prevention
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From Intermountain Healthcare
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ckr-ext/Dcmnt?ncid=529712509
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Memorial Sloan Kettering https://www.mskcc.org/pdf/cancer-care/patient-education/leaving-hospital-after-your-allogeneic-transplant
At the time of my transplant, we were between pets…so it wasn’t an issue. I know many friends/acquaintences who had several and various pets when they returned home. They got along fine with some limitations for a while.
I spend a lot of time with my daughter’s cat and dog. They’re not allowed on my bed though. If the cat wants to cuddle I wear a large shirt that covers my clothing and remove it after snuggle time. (Toss it in the dryer for a while after). I don’t touch my face with my hands until they’re washed. Same with the dog. Frequent hand washing. Litter box should be someone else’s job for a 6 months or so. After that, just wear a mask when you clean it.
However, during the critical early months of transplant and up until you’re off immunosuppressants and have your vaccinations, pets can pose a potential threat to infections, bacteria, parasites, etc., because of the reduced level of immunity. Your new immune system, initially, will be that of an infant. It will mature over the next year or so. Keep in mind that your new immune system will never quite be as robust as the original factory installed model you were born with. But it works!
With common sense life can resume to a level of normalcy. We don’t go through all of this to live in isolation with no
quality of life! ☺️ Pets are family too!
@loribmt you are so helpful. Thank you for the information. It certainly seems a small thing to reduce risk and potentially achieve remission. I have read no drinking alcohol or getting tattoos as well. Both of which are no problem. We do have a wonderful dog but I know my daughter would take her. I have an appointment with the BMT physician in September and have quite a few questions to follow up on. I went running around Como Lake this morning and thought how wonderful it would be to not have this anemia and run the way I used to for longer mileage. That would be a great victory for me. Thank you again for your help! I am also happy to assist in your mentoring if you encounter other Myelofibrosis patients. Betsy