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

Oh gosh, this is a bump in the road you weren’t expecting. Hopefully it doesn’t interfere with his SC transplant. He’s anticipating an auto-transplant using his own cells so that may pose less of a risk because he won’t be dealing with any rejection issues. But I do know some of the pre-transplant tests have to do with the heart’s ability to meet the rigors of the transplant and pre-conditioning, which is a round of chemotherapy. I’m glad to hear he’s doing well with his VRD treatment. Unfortunately, exhaustion is part of that equation.

Let’s see if some other members will have some input of having stents prior to a transplant. I’m sure you and your parents are so anxious and want to get transplant underway! Hopefully you hear back from his doctors soon with news that it will all go along as planned. Keep me posted, ok?

Today my father learned from the cardiologist that he’ll need to have a stent placed within the next couple of weeks. I’m really hoping this doesn’t keep him from being a SCT candidate in November. His VRD treatment is going well and other than exhaustion, he’s tolerating it well. Has anyone else had cardiac issues(-his may be completely unrelated) and if so, were they still able to undergo the SCT? I’m certain we’ll hear back from Drs regarding his ability to receive the transplant but thought I’d reach out to hear from this community as well. Thanks.

@rosemarya Thank you so much for reaching out to me. The Gift of Life Transplant House was just mentioned to me by an acquaintance as well. What an incredible endorsement on your part, as 11 weeks away from home under any circumstances is a long time. I truly hope that your kidney and liver transplants were a success and that you’re enjoying continued health! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in order to help point my family in the right direction. ❤️

@hopefuldaughter, I want to jump in here because I see that your mom and dad will be going to Mayo Rochester. I was at Mayo Rochester for a liver and kidney transplant. My husband and I spent 11 weeks there. Our home is in Kentucky. We stayed at the Gift of Life Transplant House. I suggest that they look into it. It was perfect for us.

Fantastic! Congrats on passing with flying colors. That week of testing is a blast, huh? My husband and I called that being “mayo-naised”…like a medical blender of tests, procedures and classes!
It’s great everything is going smoothly so far! That’s a big step getting the cells all stashed away for next week! A relief that’s over and they’re secured. ☺️

Keep me (us) posted! We have a new member who’s heading to Rochester later in the fall on the same journey so sharing is really helpful.
Did you find lodging near the clinic?

☺️ I can totally empathize with the anxiety you and your family are experiencing. The entire situation, from the diagnosis to treatment can feel so overwhelming. Being away from home for 5-6 weeks while undergoing treatment seems daunting but it’s important to have that level of consistent care and to be near the clinic. And once they’re situated with lodging, it does start feeling like home.

Serenity house is a good source for finding lodging. Also the Concierge desk at Mayo Rochester is very helpful as well if your other leads don’t pan out. Here’s a link to the Concierge service.
Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services

Phone: 507-538-8438
Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services
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Keeping in mind while you search for lodging for your parents that your dad will require daily trips to the clinic. The SCT process is mostly outpatient, except for a few days in the hospital on the transplant floor (Methodist Hospital, not St Mary’s). So that means a lot of back and forth trips to the clinic and parking can be a challenge. So finding a place to stay where they’re near the clinic, either attached via tunnels/skywalks or a rental/transplant house, etc., that will have a shuttle service is very handy.

Another member who recently had her auto-SCT at Mayo-Rochester is @countrygirlusa. Her story is a little different than your dads. She didn’t have MM but another challenging disease which required the SCT. This is the story she shared of her experience. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/716285/

You mentioned coming to help your parents out during your dad’s transplant. From experience those first 2 weeks post transplant are probably the most challenging as your dad will be very tired and possibly nauseated. He’ll need frequent trips to the clinic and may even require a wheel chair if he’s feeling weak. (Wheelchairs are readily available all over the clinic) So those 2 weeks might be when mom will need your help the most. And possibly when they set up housekeeping? We can talk more about that later after you’ve found lodging to see what they’ll need. ☺️

Take a breath! This is all doable. There can be some less than pleasant days but they pass quickly and this journey is worth the effort! Will your parents be driving or flying to Rochester?

Hi Lori!!
Funny you ask. Passed all my preliminary tests last week and finished my stem cell collection yesterday! Chemo conditioning begins next Tuesday. So far all is going well.
Thanks for asking. 🙏

Good morning, @capthondo, I realized July is just about over and you were heading to Rochester for your stem cell transplant. I hope all is well! Let me know how you’re doing. Where are you in this journey?

@loribmt Thanks SO much for your prompt reply. My father will be receiving an autologous transplant. We’re told he will need to stay in Rochester for 5-6wks for transplant and recovery. I’ve recently reached out to Serenity House for a possible rental home for the duration of their stay. They seem like a really nice option. I have concerns regarding my mother’s ability to be his caregiver 24/7 as they will be out of state and without family. I’m planning to fly out and help for a week(-hopefully 2wks) but I also have my immediate family that I’m responsible for. I’m certain that we aren’t the only family to navigate all of this and would be most grateful to learn from others.

Hi @hopefuldaughter! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m happy you’ve found this forum too! We have a number of members who have Multiple Myeloma in varying treatments and some have undergone stem cell transplants.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/207041/ (this one is under an autoimmune discussion but the link I posted is from fellow mentor who replied to a member a few years ago. The discussion is relevant for you and a video regarding a stem cell transplant for MM patients.

Your dad will be in the very best care at Mayo Rochester. The city is very easy to navigate and so is the Clinic. Lodging is nearby, most places you won’t need a car as hotels near the clinic are connected with skywalks and tunnels. Those that aren’t have shuttle services. Rochester is my home away from home…and a place of hope.
I’m happy to answer as many questions as you or your parents have. There will be other members popping in to help out too.
I’ll be happy to post links for lodging ideas and any other information you need. Right now this is enough to get you started.
Do you know if your father will have a transplant using his own cells or cells from a donor?