Is Stem Cell Transplant done as an outpatient procedure at Mayo?

Welcome to Mayo Connect, @flankj I recently returned to Mayo-Rochester for my 6+ year follow-up for my allogeneic stem cell transplant. Having a chat with my doctor, who knows I’m the mentor in this BMT/SCT support group, I asked about any changes in protocol since I had my adventure. Among the items discussed, we talked about out-patient status. To my knowledge all stem cell transplants are done on as outpatient. ( I really found that to be an excellent approach.)

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions. Each patient has their own specific needs. So in your case, if you’re receiving high dosage conditioning, your doctor may feel it’s beneficial to have you as an inpatient during the pre-conditioning chemo. Or, as in my case, the first 4 days of chemo were outpatient then the 5 day I was admitted until the transplant 2 days later. I know from my own experience that if there are any concerns for the health and well-being of the patient, you are also immediately re-admitted as needed.

And certainly if you have any concerns you can talk this over with your transplant team. I know many of the doctors and staff in the BMT transplant center and they are always so willing to answer questions and address concerns. Have you had the final consultation and pre-transplant testing?
When you mentioned high conditioning, are you also receiving Total Body Irradiation (TBI)? What’s the timeline for your transplant?

Thanks for the information. My husband will be having the SCT. We are hoping that a date will be set within the next two weeks. He was told it will be low conditioning, but blasts are still above the threshold so that is why I asked about high conditioning. It is very appealing to my husband and me that most of the process is done outpatient. I asked about the high conditioning and outpatient because I wondered if protocol changed then.

@flankj I agree about the appeal of having the BMT process done as mostly out-patient. Actually my husband and I both appreciated the ability to spend most of the time off campus. We rented a hotel suite that was 2 blocks from the Clinic so there was easy access day or night to the clinic and no daily hassles with parking. Daily visits to the clinic are essential and sometimes so convenience is a goal in lodging.
I really liked being in our ‘home away from home’ for recovery. It allowed me my own schedule. No middle of the night vital checks, I had food ready in our fridge anytime I was hungry, walked around a great deal more than I would have confined to a room, and of course, avoided exposure because I had control of my environment.

As for the preconditioning, let your husband’s transplant doctor worry about what conditioning they will use. Even the ‘reduced’ conditioning is anything but. It’s very effective in clearing out remaining cancer cells along with the lymph system.
Please keep me posted with his transplant date. Mayo-Rochester and the BMT center is my home away from home. So if you have any quesitons feel free to ask. There are quite a few of us who have gone through this same process and are here for you any time.
If you would like to do more reading, I started this discussion a few years ago but it’s current as we keep having new BMT members join us. Jump into any conversation!

My BMT story: Will you share yours?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/

If you don’t mind sharing a little more what is your husband’s diagnosis that is requiring a BMT? Has there been a donor found for him?

@loribmt
Thank you for the info. My husband had high risk MDS/MPN Crossover. He was diagnosed in July. So far, the chemo meds haven't been as effective as hoped in lowering blasts enough to qualify for transplant, but we are hoping this cycle does it. I'm sure I'll have more questions as we get closer.

@flankj

Fortunately, there are several 8/8 matches.

@flankj I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your husband that this round of chemo does the trick so he can go ahead with the transplant.
Have you talked it over with his doctor about the plan moving forward if his blast count isn’t below the threshold? What has his treatment been for his MDS/MPN diagnosis?

We have a meeting with his Mayo doctor this week. He is on Procritinib, Decicitibin, and they added Veneticlax in early December. I'm amazed at his positive attitude and patience.

I had my SCT done as an outpatient on Sept. 2024 c at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston Mass. I had to go into the hospital everyday for 7 days with 1 rest day prior to my transplant. I was able to go back to the Hotel. However if you get a fever. Anything over 100.3 they admit you into the hospital. I was hospitalized 4 times for minor issues, but without an immune system they take no chances. I stayed at the Hotel for 3 1/2 weeks and then went back home to my house,which is 2 joys away, where I had bi weekly to weekly visits. The back and forth got tiring, but you do what you have to do. It took me 3 months to finally feel like myself, but now I am back to living life like I did before. I am blessed and very greatful. I have been in remission since November 2024 and I am feeling great.