Anyone chosen to do chemo with HMA (vidaza) before transplant (BMT)?

@loribmt
Hi Lori, its been a minute since I've given an update on my transplant journey. They found a donor and my admission date has been set for 3/12. I had my bone marrow biopsy last week and I will be having my port put in this week. I appreciated the info on things needed for my stay. It is very helpful and I've started getting things together. Including my mind and thoughts.

@turbo65 Good morning, Crystal! Well, you have an adventure ahead of you for sure. But I hope you remember that you’re not alone. I’m here, along with a group of super helpers who have also had a BMT to help you along your journey.
I’m glad you found the information helpful. It can feel a bit overwhelming but, like I mentioned before, the pieces all fall into place.
Anything I can help you with right now?

Hi @johansenrj Just popping in to see where you are on your upcoming transplant journey!
Any news about a potential donor and a target date?

@loribmt
I have a lot of questions. But i will be seeing my hematologist on 3/3. So I'm quite sure she can answer most of them. But, Did you have someone to stay with you overnight during your first days of the chemo or longer?

@turbo65 Helps to have a list of questions handy, along with a little notebook or your phone to jot down notes anytime you have a meeting with your doctor. Especially with your transplant team. There’s always so much to cover.

I’m not sure of the protocol where you’ll be having your transplant. I was at Mayo and most of the transplant proceedings are done as outpatient. I had to have a caregiver present 24/7. So when I had chemo (over 5 days) the first 4 days I returned to our place of lodging. The next 3 days were as in-patient and no. my husband didn’t stay with me there overnight. We ‘lived’ two blocks from the clinic so he’d visit quite often during the day, not over night. The nursing staff was super so I never felt the need to have my caregiver overnight. But I have heard that some facilities are amenable if patients want their caregiver present. That will be a good quesiton for your transplant coordinator.

If you’re being admitted to the hospital for an extended stay, you may not need your caregiver to be much present until you’re released for recovery off campus. Do you know if you’re being admitted long term or is it outpatient?

@turbo65
Hello, I was at MD Anderson and they allowed my caregiver wife to stay overnight in my room which she did often early on. Of course the nurses and doctors provided all necessary care of my needs 24/7 but there was a psychological comfort having her there, assuring my needs are met and providing a clear mind and help with note taking when I wasn’t able. Not necessary but nice.

@g4c
Thank you for your info.