← Return to One-week pre Autogolous BMT: I'm afraid I'm not prepared

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@jstpeachey

So good to hear about your husband and thank God for Mayo. My main concern is how to prepare after chemo, since your not to be left alone, you can only stock up on so much. Were you able to leave him after a certain amount of time to replenish? Did you depend on delivery services?? One thing I’m embarrassed to ask but really need to know, did he need adult diapers?? I have to go to Mayo daily after the transplant, I’m so afraid of accidents. Another is pre cleaning, how extensive did you have to get? Any suggestions will be helpful

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Replies to "So good to hear about your husband and thank God for Mayo. My main concern is..."

I could leave for a short time after a while. So let’s gets into what happened for us, it could be different but maybe our experience can help you.😘
He got the chemo over two days and he felt pretty good for a couple days after, then his digestive track started giving him grief. Yes, I would have adult diapers and wipes on hand at all times after about day 2 or 3. This will only be temporary but it gives you peace of mind.
You will feel weaker after a while as your body has less oxygen rich red cells traveling around your body. Let yourself rest, your body will be going through a lot.
My job was to make sure he was taking his meds, eating and drinking and did not fall. Taking temperature etc. and keeping him comfortable.
He was in the clinic everyday, usually for a few hours of fluids, potassium, etc. during that time, he was in good hands and I could go do any errands that we needed.
Pre cleaning, first transplant we stayed at a long term kind of hotel, no cleaning service. It was pretty clean but I went over everything with Clorox wipes when we got there. Then I kept everything easily.
The second time we had booked guest house, got in late and had to stay the night, so I cloroxed everything I could and told him not to touch the rest, we checked out the next morning. We went to Home Place Suites and it was spotless and we stayed and felt safe. I still cloroxed the kitchen counters, microwave and bathroom, but they have a daily cleaning service . I say you will know if it feels clean and safe.
You will be very sensitive to smells, so clean smelling is good, heavy scented things, not so much. This too will pass. I drank instant coffee because he couldn’t stand the smell of coffee cooking.
It sounds really hard but remember it really is only a few weeks before you are feeling a lot better and hopefully gaining years.
Are you packed and ready to travel? Will you have a vehicle or rely on community transport?

You mentioned pre-cleaning your post transplant environment. I found another article I wrote a while back about that subject. You might find some good info here. Also, towards the bottom there is a link for safety guidelines after a transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/704070/
You should also personally avoid cleaning the toilet for several months. That was on my list of no no’s. When we stayed in the hotel after transplant I had my husband pick up a toilet brush and Chlorox cleaner when grocery shopping so he could scrub the toilet often. We didn’t want housekeeping to come daily because ‘exposure’ to outside people when I needed to be basically isolated.

As for ‘accidents’, mine were not “bottom” related, but I was prepared with Depends, just in case. Some patients experience diarrhea so it doesn’t hurt have a package along with your supplies. I was more bothered with nausea to the point I carried a gallon ziplock baggie with me everywhere. It contained a paper towel at the bottom. I could tuck it in my little backpack or tote that I carried with my ‘stuff’…water bottle, ipad, snacks. That way I was never caught unprepared for any surprise attack. Remember morning sickness? It’s familiar (but not everyone experiences nausea)

And seriously, you’re at Mayo in the transplant area. There isn’t one thing new these amazing people haven’t seen! No reason ever to be embarrassed. Your transplant team will be your new family and you learn to trust them implicitly to cover your every need.

@auntieoakley covered a lot of the other questions you asked but don’t hesitate to ask more. We’ve got your back. ☺️