My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?

July 2025 after breaking my back helping someone move, I was diagnosed with plasmacytoma on my vertebrae. September 2025 I successfully received radiation on my vertebrae however cancer was found in my iliac (pelvic bone) so my diagnosis changed to multiple myeloma. Starting January 2026 I had 4 cycles (4 months) of weekly chemo and support medication which was manageable. My local oncologist recommended I have a stem cell transplant so I was hooked up with Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
I was/am a good candidate for a stem cell transplant.
May 2025 I spent 8 days at Mayo which included the most thorough study of my body by a team of medical professionals. I had a successful collection of my stem cells, which are now frozen, and I will have my cells transplanted in July 2026 allowing me a bit of time with my grandchildren this summer. My oncology team agreed that this would be okay.
Physically I am managing. My main side effects are fatigue and back ache. Fortunately I am retired so I do try to stay active and force myself take guilt free breaks.
I’m not afraid or depressed but I have always been a caregiver, so I am struggling with being dependent on someone to take care of me, and I’m also quite private about my bodily functions.
I am 71 years old and other than cancer I am pretty healthy. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I have had a good life.
My husband will be my caregiver but because his 1st wife died at age 59 after 3 years of cancer treatments and a stem cell transplant, I am acutely aware of his loss and his experience, so I try to stay upbeat and positive for his sake.
However, I have moments where I am scared and sad. Mostly scared of the unknown. When people say “ you’ve got this” it annoys the heck out of me even though I know they mean well.
I know I can’t avoid what’s ahead and I have to go through it. The diarrhea, vomiting, losing my hair, being away from my home and kids and grandkids.
Yes, I am grateful for an amazing oncology team and all. And therapy and food and a roof over my head but I have found that cancer is very lonely and isolating, so thanks for letting me vent!

Good morning, @gagathemom “You’ve got this!” It’s interesting how those words can either give someone a nudge or completely turn them off. The night I was admitted to the hospital, having been diagnosed that afternoon with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the nurses brought me a rather large gift bag. The bag had been put together for them by a former patient who had AML with the instructions to give this bag to a new patient…me.
Inside were a number of items including a hand made fleece neck warmer, a lap-sized fleece blanket, adult coloring book with a box of colored pencils, Burt’s Bees chap stick/hand lotion, cute little socks. The gift tag, which I still use as a bookmark 7 years later, said, “Stay Strong. Stay Positive! You’ve got this!!”
Being absolutely cut off at the knees with the diagnosis that afternoon, those words resonated with me! They still do and as a mentor in the Blood Cancer and also the Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation groups, I find myself using those words to encourage others. All of us have within us the ability for, “You’ve got this”, to handle whatever it takes to keep us alive, inspired and moving forward. (But I promise not to say it to you! 😅)

You’re going to be in excellent care with your SCT team at Mayo-Rochester as you’ve already found out. That was my home away from home for 4 months. Your autologous (ASCT) stem cell transplant, fortunately won’t require that length of time but you will be there a month or so while you recover. Being fiercely independent myself, I completely empathize with your struggle with requiring a caregiver! But once you’re actually underway with the transplant recovery, I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself relaxing into the assistance during the moments when you need it most. After that, your drive for independence will help you recover faster by the desire to get back to normal. In the meantime, accept the help with the daily mundane tasks. That way your energy is reserved so you can take a shower without assistance, get dressed, etc. Having assistance helps you pace yourself because the fatigue the first couple of weeks will sap your strength.
I think what you’ll miss most during recovery, are snuggles from your grandkids! But they can send you cards, you can face-time or Zoom and that time will go quickly!

Do you have any questions about the transplant itself? Are you set with longterm lodging in Rochester?

@loribmt You put words together beautifully!
I rented a pet friendly vrbo house for 3 weeks. Too optimistic of me?
If I recover quickly, I would hate to be out the non refundable money for the house if I rent it, or another, for another 2 weeks or more. However, it would be challenging to find another place to stay if I need to stay longer. Packing, cleaning, relocating. I’m still trying to figure that out. As I write this, I feel like it sounds negative. I’m grateful for so much but I am a planner and I am stumped.
I understand that every cancer, every treatment and every person is unique. I’m trying to get a plan in place so I can stop thinking about it and enjoy some time with my grandchildren when they come to visit.
Thank you for responding. I appreciate you. Wanda

@gagathemom Hi Wanda, getting ready for this ASCT (autologous stem cell transplant) an feel pretty overwhelming. Just the logistics alone can feel mind boggling. But somehow, all those pieces just seem to fall into place. For an ASCT, patients usually can assume 3-4 weeks lodging. I know you have a place locked in for 3 weeks. If you need an extension, often landlords in Rochester are pretty flexible….on either end. With extensions and early exits. There are also a ton of hotels nearby that you could relocate to if needed. But by 3 weeks you might get the all-clear to head home. Your SCT team will be able to give you a heads up for an exit projection.
comprehensive about transplants, caregiver information, after care. There are several subject headings.

Not sure if you’ve seen this or not, but here is a good care guide from Mayo for SCT/BMT and CAR=T patients and caregivers. There are several topic headings so take your time to peruse everything that’s relevant from caregivers guide, what to pack, infection control, etc.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/caregivers-for-bmt-car-t-and-hematology/tab/transplant-journey/
Haha, dare I say, “You’ve got this”…😂. Joking aside, as a planner myself I know how we like to have everything nicely sewn up, details in place and nothing left to chance. I had a zillion sticky notes and note pads with lists of items to make our hotel stay a ‘home away from home’.

Here’s a comment posted a while regarding items I packed for my 4 month stay. You might find a few ideas. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1059221/

Let me know if I can help with anything else! ☺️ What kind of dog do you have?