Hi @tjakusz You’re right, this is a journey like no other. It’s arduous and there will be days you feel pretty nasty. But it’s all doable! You come out on the other side of this feeling pretty invincible. Keeping a positive attitude is so helpful as well as really listening to your BMT team! They are your new family and they are deeply dedicated to you. I’ve been told repeated at Mayo that ‘we’re married for life’ and they mean it. I’m still having regular followups at the clinic and also through blood work at my home clinic. It’s very comforting to know you’re not left to founder after a few years.
Rochester is my home away from home. My husband and I still enjoy our trips back to ‘the mother ship’. While I was going through all the excitement my husband kept busy daily with long walks along the trails there, exploring the various cultural sites and really felt like this was a unique experience for both of us. He and I both got all the backing we needed from our team.

You’ll also be having a number of pre transplant classes along with testing. It will seem daunting but you’ll get through this…one day at a time.

Here are a couple of links to conversations about prepping for transplants and after care.

The first was in a list I compiled for transplantation while I was at Mayo-Rochester for 4 months. Other members have added their ‘necessities’ to the lists in subsequent conversations.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/703859/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
This is a really comprehensive aftercare guide from Memorial Sloan Kettering. I had a very similar list from Mayo but this was already online so it’s my go-to guideline.
You’ll no doubt have your own educational classes and information for life going forward.
https://www.mskcc.org/pdf/cancer-care/patient-education/leaving-hospital-after-your-allogeneic-transplant
There are other friends here in the forum who have also had allogenic stem cell transplants a few of these are: @alive, who just celebrated her 7th rebirthday, @kt2013 who had her transplant 10 years ago, I’m at 4 years and @edb1123 who is coming up on her 3rd anniversary.
Don’t hesitate to ask us questions. We’re here to offer support and to help you (your caregiver) navigate this journey. It helps to talk with others who have walked the walk.

Good morning! And welcome to the Mayo Clinic. I had my transplant for AML 10 years ago. I know some things have changed and the process has been updated. I was a “guest” of Mayo for 27 glorious days in 2013 during my conditioning chemotherapy. I was running for the door after being in the hospital for almost a month. And I hit the road running after my transplant, recovering at home because Rochester is my also my hometown. Mayo is a wonderful place, filled with caring and compassionate caregivers who live the mission of “the needs of the patient come first”.
I hope your experience will reflect that statement every day. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you a snapshot of MN autumn.