[rebeccaRParticipant]

Hi – just want to pick the brains of those who have undergone this as something doesn't seem right in how I'm doing it. I was originally told you get the harvest date and the hospital works back 10 days from that to start treatment – this generally means going into hospital on a Saturday and my consultant agrees to be on call/will come in as necessary. Yesterday I got a call to say come in on Monday to start the chemo – the cgsf injection will start Friday and I go to a 3 day harvest the following Tuesday which is contrary to how the nurse explained the std practice and the info sheet on here which says 5 – 7 days of imjections – I will onl have 4 days worth before going but was tole be prepared for a 3 day harvest (which extends the jabs time). Does this sound standard to anyone else? (I have a feeling the doc is doing something else over the weekend. Have become increasingly disillusioned with my hospital and am considering travelling further a field) Thanks

[scott9Participant]

I was also told to prepare for a three day harvest. In the end it took two days to collect enough cells. Best to get plenty of cells rather than not enough. Bring a book and/or a PC loaded with films to pass the time as you will be stuck in the chair most of the day. They won't start till they have checked your bloods to make sure there are enough cells to harvest. Which hospital are you going to?

All the best

Scott

[rebeccaRParticipant]

Hi Scott – going to Jimmys in Leeds for the harvest but treated at Scunthorpe first. So how many days did you have the jabs? more than 4 days pre harvesting? How are your kidneys this week any noticeable improvement
yet? Did you find the pre harvest chemo affected them? worry…worry…worry…

Rebecca

[eveParticipant]

Hi Rebecca

All hospitals are different,also the machines are in use so they have tight schedules,this is were the differences occurs,some other illnesses all so have priority over Myeloma patients,so it is a balancing act to use the machines beds and the best possible use of staff,for example they like Myeloma patients to be on the same ward if possible.
They usually check the bloods when you come in for harvest,they can ring you later to tell you if they have enough,if they do not you have to go back and go straight on to machine,usually havering extra injections the night before and first thing in the morning,you do not get bloods checked second day.
Some people have to go more than 2 days,some people cannot produce enough,some lucky people go one day and produce 8 million!!!,why worry about something that has not started yet.
As for consultant being there!!! They have a teams that do this every day,and keep on top of things.
We had to travel 86 miles get there for 9 am,and do it all again the next day! No picnic just grateful to get on with it.Eve

[scott9Participant]

I wouldn't worry too much as this is a fairly routine part of the process. 4 days of jabs will probably be enough for you. When I went for my harvest I only saw the nurses. They know exactly what to do as they do it all day every day. It didn't work for me first time. They tested my blood and the stem cells just weren't enough. I had a break and did it again and it was fine. They will get you sorted as its what they do so really don't worry. I worried more about what to do all day and brought in my PC so that sorted me out.

Not sure how my kidneys are doing. Last week the reading went up to 333 so I'm hoping it won't go up much further.

All the best

Scott

[adamsp41Participant]

Hello Rebecca…I too had my SCT done at St James's in Jan 2011…and as far as we can remember I had 5 days of GCSF injections then onto have my harvest collected the day following completion of GCSF…I too was told to prepare for harvest between 1-3 days depending upon the collection rate…mine took 3 days…if you have any queries the clinic at St James's has a new CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist)who will be able to put your concerns to rest…I have been attending St James's for approx 5 years and can only praise the whole team…when you say disillusioned is that with your hospital or Leeds ?…stay safe…Phil

[tomParticipant]

Hi Rebecca

I also was treated at SGH and was under Dr Jalihal.

In 2009 I had my Growth injections that started on the Weds and I had them every morning the last one was the Sunday so that was 5 days, I also went to Leeds for my collection but went to a little blood letting hospital called seacroft (I think) I was told I was booked in for thee days but as it turned out I collected enough on day one so he sent me home at tea time

[john62Participant]

Hi Rebecca

Just to say am thinking of you and your harvesting is going ok

John

[Nanna59Participant]

Hi Rebecca
I hope all is going well for you
When you are feeling strong agsin we should meet up for a coffee
I know it will be a while
Chris x

[rebeccaRParticipant]

Hi Tom, thought I was at least 1 injection short and on 1st day count was 0 so wasted trip but the 2nd day – 5 injections same as you – got 4.4 million so all OK!

[rebeccaRParticipant]

Hi,

Harvest was a breeze – how are you doing now don't see many postings from you, everything still on the up?

Rebecca

[rebeccaRParticipant]

Hi,
Harvesting done – very easy – no sickness at all so hope that's a good sign for SCT. Know you had it bad. I've had no after effects of it all so am busy xmas shopping but whenever you're up for a coffee we could meet at Xscape.

Rebecca

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