[MothasParticipant]

I've found the updates by people going through the SCT very helpful in understanding and preparing for mine so I am following suit.

Today is day 0, yesterday day – 1

Yesterday I had my Melphalan infustion at UCLH, it was preceded by an anti-nausea infusion cut with 8 mg of Dex.

The actual Melphalan infusion took around half an hour during which I consumed 4 orange ice lollies to mitigate any possible infections in the mouth region. I was given a large plastic bag of anti-nausea and other drugs to take away with me (anti-nausea: Domperidone, Ondansetron, Cyclizine; Stomach protection: Ranitidine, Anti-viral Aciclovir, Mouthwash; Stomach and throat protection: Antipepsin).

At UCLH they manage the stem cell process using ambulatory care, meaning they book you into the (very nice) UCLH hotel (The Cotton Rooms), which is a 2 minute walk to the Cancer Centre. Every day you go in for observations and checks and keep you under close observation. Once you become neutropenic and/or pick up an infection they move you into the isolation wards which I've already had the pleasure of experiencing. These are very nice and modern, large, well lit etc. We'll see how we get on but I imagine I'll be moved thursday or friday.

Side effects from melphalan: I was very tired an hour or so afterwards but didn't feel too bad. However as it got later (around 9.00) I started feeling quite sick – nausea and a 'flu like' aches. I made full use of my anti nausea tablets and had a fitful night. This morning feeling a bit foggy but not much nausea.

I am seeing the consultants this morning and expect to be booked in for the actual transplant this afternoon. Will update later side effects permitting.

Apologies for any typos, blame the drugs. 🙂

If there is any other detail people would like to hear about the treatment or UCLH please let me know.

Tom

[CarolsymonsParticipant]

You are right- it is so helpful and reassuring for beginners like me to read posts like yours..hope all continues to go well for you today.
Carol

[eveParticipant]

Hello young Tom,

Good luck,do they provide meals at the hotel!!!!! what is the food like or is the effect of chemo playing havoc with your taste buds yet!!!!

Best Wishers.Eve

[bandityogaParticipant]

Hi Tom

Hope all goes well with the transplant and you will have many years of remission.

Maureen

[scott9Participant]

Hello Tom

I'm really pleased for you that you have finally started the transplant process. I'm off to Kings tomorrow to see if they can harvest enough cells so I may be following you pretty soon. I hope you get thought the next bit OK.

Good luck

Scott

[MothasParticipant]

Eve you get a typical hotel buffet or cooked breakfast, all very good if you feel up for it and all free. I only managed to tuck into a bit of toast but some brave souls were having the full english 😉

When you drop into ambulatory care they give you 10 quids worth of vouchers to buy lunch and dinner at the UCLH staff canteen. Didn't do this yesterday but it looks ok.

[MothasParticipant]

Carol, Scott and Maureen thanks for the kind words.

@scott, good luck with Kings tomorrow, crossing everything for you.

[eveParticipant]

Hi Tom

Well that,s not to bad,you are going to have to do better than a piece of toast,you never mention family,have you no one to nag you!!!.Eve

[meganjaneParticipant]

Hi Tom,

I am so glad the process has started and hopefully you will soon have your new stem cells. Fingers crossed the nausea is not too bad. The set up there sounds wonderful, hospital close at hand but the ability to go to a nice room at the hotel.

Good luck for a straight forward stay in hospital/hotel.

Megan

[john62Participant]

HI TOM

Top man had a drink on 22nd to you

I will wait till day 7 now

GOOD LOOK

JOHN

[tonyfParticipant]

Hi Tom.
Good luck with the SCT. You never know you might just sail through it without any too many problems.
Hotel sounds good!
Again hope it goes well
Tony F

[SonnyParticipant]

Hi Tom

Sonny found as he began to feel very tired he would force himself to get up early, have breakfast, even if it was just a mouthful, then go across to Ambi care. That way he would be sure to get a chair, have bloods etc done before they get too busy, then he could relax. He would also try and go for a walk at some point in the day. Another tip to pass on is make sure your fridge is well stocked with drinks.
Stay strong !
Ann and Sonny

[MothasParticipant]

I'm ok doing this by phone. It will try more substantial update later. Transplant went fine but severe nausea from melphalan today first day I've been we'll enough to attempt communication.
I'm on day 4

Tom

[EvaParticipant]

Hi Tom- have been thinking of you and wanting to write but my Cybord treatment has also been knocking me out and causing nausea. I had a rough time a few days after I had my melphalan infusion when I had my ASCT, but once I came home I made very fast progress and didn't have any medical emergencies.

Wishing you all the best,
Eva

[MothasParticipant]

Ok got net access now.
Days 0 (tuesday) to 4 (friday).

Day 0
Transplant was pretty straightforward, felt a bit tired afterwards but went back to the hotel and had an early night. Took just over an hour to give me back my 2 million stem cells.

Day 1
Woke up feeling quite groggy and nauseous which pretty much lasted all day. As the evening came it got really bad and I dry retched at 4 in the morning not nice.

Day 2
After conversation with the duty nurse I was admitted to the UCLH ward in the morning and bombarded with anti-nausea meds. This helped but it was still an extremely unpleasant day, I wasn't really capable of conversation of any sort. Also a bit disappointed to have been admitted so early, in my mind I was to fly through the whole process without admittance. 🙂

Day 3
An improvement, I'm on a automated pump for anti-nausea which really helps. I do have diarrhea though but I'm coping with it. Not really eating as it doesn't hang around very long. Speaking to the medical team it's not unusual to have a delayed-reaction to the melphalan but bad luck to have it to the extend I have had.

Day 4
Again woke up feeling much better, I've been on lots of drips and anti-nausea and at least I can talk to the wife today! My temperature has been hovering around the 37.5 degree mark but I don't feel hot. I haven't had my bloods back yet so don't know if I'm neutropenic yet. More diarrhea today which I can expect for another 3 – 4 days according to nurse.

More later.

Tom

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