Hi @andreak78. I’m so glad you’ve joined Connect… you’re not alone in your journey! If you’re receiving Cytarabine and Rydapt, I’m assuming you have AML with an FLT3 mutation. At exactly this point 7 years ago, I was just beginning my AML/BMT odyssey for the same reason, along with 2 other mutations. I also received cytarabine, Rydapt and idarubicin which brought me into a temporary remission until I could go ahead with the allogeneic transplant. Without it, I’d have been pushing up daisies from the underside for at least 6 years by now. ☺️

The preconditioning chemo the week preceding your transplant will be short-lived but a little more aggressive in an effort to make one final sweep of your bone marrow to clear any cancer cells and it will also clear your lymph system. This will ensure a squeaky clean environment for the donor stem cells to set up housekeeping, restoring your now defective immune system with a whole new setup! You’ll be Andrea 2.0.

The side effects are similar to what you’ve already gone through though the fatigue for a few weeks might be deeper than the previous neutropenic lows you’ve felt. There may also be more of your favorite nausea, hair loss, possible mouth sores. I know!! It sounds dreadful but you’ll move past this! Once the new stem cells engraft and begin churning out new blood cells, especially neutrophils, you’ll begin to feel improvements and should steadily regain strength.

There are quite a few BMT discussions here already. You might want to join in this one which I started a few years ago.

My BMT Story: Will you share yours:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
Each of us has our unique experience with the procedure and recovery. There have also been huge leaps forward in prevention of some of the more serious side effects since I had my transplant almost 7 years ago…rebirthday is then end of June.

I know this can all feel overwhelming so if there is any information you need, about what to expect, or need a shoulder to commiserate, I’m here along with, what I affectionately refer to as my BMT posse members, to offer a lifeline! Will you be an in-patient for the first few weeks?