getting ready for stem cell harvest

This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by  roncantrill 9 years, 11 months ago.

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  • #120712

    alanjamesbyrne
    Participant

    Hi all ,had the the medium dose of chemo yesterday in preparation for stem cell harvest, feeling ok at the moment ,loads of drugs and start a course of injections today ,stem cell harvest next Monday ,/ tues/weds depending on how much we get ,they said my yield is likely to be low as ive had radiotherapy,so might night get it in one go ,following Tuesday oncoligy ,and all being fine stem cell replacment starts 3rd March ,and upto 3 weeks in hospital (isolation) I’ll be gladd when all this is over ,it really starts to get you down at times ,but I know it’s got to be done ,hopefully with the right results ,oh well onwards and upwards as I say ,

    #120716

    roncantrill
    Participant

    Hi Alan,
    Your post takes me back about 5 years. Pauline, my wife had problems with producing enough stem cells and had to have 4 goes to get barely enough but I believe things have improved since then. The next bit, in March, is the biggie and, as you’ve probably read, everyone’s experience is different. Pauline’s started with the discovery that her bags of stem cells were split and leaking and went downhill from there but that is about as bad as it gets. The good bit is that everyone else involved is putting everything into giving you the best care. Pauline was nearly 3 months before being able to keep even a glass of water down but that was exceptional and 3 months after that she was all clear and has been in full remission for 5 years. We have spoken to others who have gone through the process with hardly any problems and one lady actually went home for 4 days immediately after the STC to wait for the after effects to bite.
    Whatever happens, some one else has been there so keep posting.
    Forward is the only way to go.
    Ron.

    #120719

    alanjamesbyrne
    Participant

    Thanks Ron ,I’ve been on chemo tablets 2 types for 4 months now ,just had the medium dose chemo by drip with no ill effects with any of it ,apart from my taste buds ,which drives me mad,I do know that the next one is the biggie and effects every body differently ,hoping that I get an easy run with that one as well ,with no ill effects ,I also had a stent ,long pipe, fitted to my chest ,as my veins had shrunken quite a bit ,it makes life easier now ,the other bit I dred is the bone marrow biopsie,which I have had twice now ,very painfull ,but not got to have that for 3-4 months  yet ,I am lucky that I live within half a mile of the hospital ,so that makes life easier ,especially for treatment ,and the wife visiting when I have to stay in isolation ,it’s probably changed a bit now as you say, I get free wifi, tv fridge ,kettle ,in my on suite room lol ,I can take my lap top ,ipad,and keep myself amused ,you can even use Skype to stay in touch ,so preety much sorted at the moment,even got suit case nearly ready ,oh well onwards and upwards,Alan

    #120768

    roncantrill
    Participant

    Hi Alan,
    There seems to be little in common with your experience and ours. Pauline had only one biopsy – without anesthetic and 5 doses of CDT broken for a month after a severe toxic reaction to the antibiotic which sent her blood pressure down to 55 over 30, turned her bright purple all over and put her in isolation for a fortnight during which she had 2 vertebra collapse. Her SCT was delayed by 2 months as she couldn’t produce enough stem cells. Her SCT stay was in the old QE in Birmingam in a room with no TV No toilet (at the end of a very long corridor) and little else other than a definite 1930s feel, not forgetting the split stem cell bags. The nurses kept sending the food back because it was cold/uneatable but Pauline wasn’t eating anyway. After 5 weeks she came home only to go back after 3 days with severe dehydration and spent a fortnight in a room with only dying patients in. But in all of that the staff were outstanding and after 6 months post SCT she got a full pardon and has been well enough to forget everything other than for a few weeks before her 6 monthly checks.
    We always attend the Info Days and have met several who have gone way beyond what we have and on the last one we sat next to a sprightly lady who was over 25 years remission.
    Think lucky and stay lucky,
    Ron.

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