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

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (401)
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Oh that is right…I now remember you shared that! Although I know with so many of the stories so much is individual. I think I will do okay with the chemotherapy although my sister seems to think it will be much more horrific than I know. I realize not like current treatments but know it us for a limited time. As horrible as it might be. If I can get to a real remission, it will so be worth it!

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Replies to "Oh that is right…I now remember you shared that! Although I know with so many of..."
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 22, 2022

Oh there’s nothing like well-meaning relatives, LOL. I could have avoided chemo altogether and had my mutation-caused cancer cured if only I’d had daily drinks of raw asparagus juice and used essential oils according to one relative. Sigh. Giggle.
Your sister isn’t being helpful by giving you horror stories for chemo. If I may put it into perspective for you. From what I have learned from others who have had MM and gone on to have a transplant (including a friend who was my buddy while I lived in Rochester) the chemo prior to that procedure was only 1 or 2 infusions. My friend never even lost her hair and had a week of a little nausea.
My chemo was aggressive. AML is treated quickly and heavily with a course of induction chemo called 3+7. One drug for 7 days with 3 days of another drug running concurrently. That 3 day drug is called the Red Devil. So you can only imagine. LOL. Even in remission I had more chemo to keep me that way. I also took an abrogating chemo drug at home to keep the mutation controlled.
Every 28 days required another week in the hospital with chemo for 7 days. Transplant was 5 days of chemo with 2 formulas. It’s not a picnic but I lived through that. So, by your sister’s reckoning I’d be pushing up daisies from the under side. I’m not! I’m in the best physical health I’ve been in for years! I’m 68, last night I check my FitBitch before bed and saw that I had 27,053 steps, 10 miles and burned 2400+ calories! This isn’t unusual for me at all. I walk at least 7-8 miles daily. Chemo didn’t kill me 3 years ago. I’m alive because of it.
So yes, my dear, chemo is powerful and sounds scary, but it is something to be respected for its ability to kill cancer and return us to health. Yes, there are side effects but it can also buy us precious time.
I’m happy to hear you’re planning on having the transplant in Rochester! You couldn’t be in better hands than there! Your husband will keep busy while you’re preoccupied. We love it there too and so much to do in and around the city.
You’ll be back to your post retirement travel plans soon enough. I just got back from 6 weeks in Florida. We’re finally back on track too. 🙃

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