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

Lori,
I love this post.
I arrived in the hospital to meet the night crew, get my room and all the check in work being done. Hospital admissions was not open, so I got to watch safety videos, wash my body and hands and a long ago video from Sloan Kettering on chemotherapy. They asked me the questions from my bed.
Today is my Melphalan. Some time today, earlier. Not sure. Shift changeover now.
I have a picture from my room. Sunny Sunday, this was Saturday night. DUARTE California.

Your transplant clock is ticking down! One more day of chemo, a day of rest and then…drum roll! All of this excitement leading up to the infusion of stem cells which is hugely anticlimactic. Takes about 20 minutes. ☺️

Being a ‘science geek’ I tended to think of those cells pouring into me like a unit of Imperial Storm troopers from StarWars…the Darth Vader music in the background. LOL. Another friend, whom I met while recovering from transplant, thought they were her Minions. Whatever you name your new Stem Cells or your new immune system, they’re there to attack and defend you against the cancer that was in your body. With this last round of chemo, your bone marrow will have been ‘scrubbed squeaky clean’ making a new, pristine home for those cells.
Miraculously they find their way to the inside of your bones and set up housekeeping in a couple weeks as they start regenerating the marrow and pouring out new blood products.
Wishing you great success on this mission!! I’m thinking of you every day and sending vibes of strength and endurance. Hugs!

Thanks Wendy! I was feelin’ the love. It worked; All the labs and test results had us happy dancing!! 💃 Just waiting for one more set of results but my doctor isn’t anticipating anything unexpected. As a sign for how well things are going, I don’t even need blood work for 6 months! That’s huge! 🥰 That’s my longest leash yet!
Thank you again for your sweet well wishes. I hope and pray that you’ll find some answers soon so you start feeling better. Hugs!

Hi all, 4th infusion. Zofran byvthem and 2 senna laxatives for me!!!
My nurse called early, so I got in and done on time. She was training a new nurse. Very new and nervous. It did take away from me the patient, but training needs to happen.
I did stop at the help area in the hospital. Asked her if I leave my stuff down with her. I also asked if people bring a lot. She said they do!!! Some bring one small, others bring 2 or 3. Crazy.
I am packing tonight.

Praying and sending light for all clean 🙏 ✨️ ❤️

You're the best Lori! We're all behind you and are grateful to have you as a volunteer here 🫂 🤗 😘

Lori,

I hope all goes well. Those are a lot of appointments. I expect for you it is a test at a time.
I got my infusion at 6:30pm. I sent 2 messages to my dr in the portal. The head nurse did not know exactly, An approval or some other reason. She gave me a $25.00 gas card to say sorry.
My nurse said to get a twin memory foam to make my bed comfy. Cassy from the wig office said bring your own shampoo and conditioner s i will only get baby shampoo. Makeup? Buy a new pencil and shadow. As for my work, I work in an office at a college. I worked from my computer and phone during covid and during cancer treatment.
I hope all of us have a good day. Acceptance.

Hi Kat…I hope your day 4 goes better than yesterday with the infusion. Wonder what the holdup was all about.
It’s good to keep productive with your work. Is it a job that you can do somewhat online to keep in the loop?
I have to scoot. 7 AM appt at Mayo…1st out of 6 appts today.
Hang in there!! You’ve got this. ☺️

My 3rd day did not start well in infusion. I had stopped in the positive image center to show them my wigs. The one I wore after my first chemo she said was very good. The other one she literally said "screams wig". I felt that too, so I never wore it. $200.00 plus. She said the color on the ends of the curls makes it look like a wig. While there the day clinic called for me to come early. I got here at 3:45pm. The problem is it is 6:15pm and I still do not have the chemo. I already sent a message in the portal to my doctor. I am making a list of things to do tonight and tomorrow.
I have been erasing old emails and will know log into work to finish a few responses.
I am looking to get some items done I might have done tomorrow.
Looking to keep calm.
I hope you had the best news today Lori!

Good morning! Two down and three to go, huh? I was going to suggest Zofran or one of the other meds, ‘just in case’. I was all cocky the first two days and then by day three, there were hints of that lovely feeling. Hopefully you don’t have that. I’m not sure what your chemo is at this point. Different protocol/different clinic. So you may not have the side effects. If you do, just remember, it’s not forever. Small comfort when you’re in the middle of feeling like crud. 😉

I suppressed a chuckle when you mentioned bowel movements. That seems to be the huge topic of discussion when you’re having a transplant…Every day i was asked over and over. LOL. Sometimes I answered with a bit of humor like; ‘all the friends were holding hands and jumped in the pool singing kumbaya”. And other days, “Friends decided to stay in for the day”. Or, “Everyone is running off the cliff like lava is chasing them” 😂.

I’m actually on my way to Rochester today for my 5 year post-transplant visit!! My official SCT date is near the end of June but this is a big milestone so I’m excited to check in with my transplant doctor and team tomorrow!! Good luck as you enter day three!

Lori,
I had the Hickmann for nearly 2 years with Breast cancer. It was wonderful.
I think the pic line is interesting, but it does require keeping it clean and dry.
2nd day down, I did get the Zofran just to not chance nausea. Today I am taking my senna laxative. Something i have only used through cancer treatment. Bowel movements are something they ask about, so I have learned that noone is going to know if I do not tell.