Stem Cell Transplant

sgoeden
sgoeden Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I am scheduled for a stem cell transplant in a couple of weeks if my PET scan is clear. I will be using my own stem cells. I am very scared. What should I expect? - 32 yr old mother of two little girls

Comments

  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #2
    Stem cell
    Why do you need a stem cell transplant? Didn't the chemo help? John
  • sgoeden
    sgoeden Member Posts: 5
    #3
    COBRA666 said:

    Stem cell
    Why do you need a stem cell transplant? Didn't the chemo help? John

    Stem Cell
    I had 6 rounds of R-CHOP. The lymphoma had shrunk but didn't go away. Now I did two rounds of R-ICE. I am due for a PET scan in a couple of weeks to see if this chemotherapy took care of it. If it did, the doctor wants to do the stem cell transplant. If it's still there he'll continue R-ICE or switch chemo drugs.
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #4
    sgoeden said:

    Stem Cell
    I had 6 rounds of R-CHOP. The lymphoma had shrunk but didn't go away. Now I did two rounds of R-ICE. I am due for a PET scan in a couple of weeks to see if this chemotherapy took care of it. If it did, the doctor wants to do the stem cell transplant. If it's still there he'll continue R-ICE or switch chemo drugs.

    Stem cell
    I had 6 weeks of r-cvp and just finished up. Midway scan showed a 2/3rd reduction in SUV. From a 9 to a 3. How far did yours shrink? Due for a final pet in 2 weeks. I don't know what they are actually looking for. I was a grade 4 indolent nhl. What really determines if you need a stem cell transplant or not? John
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #5
    stem cell
    I'm going for my consultation this Friday, I had eight rounds of chemo, finished two weeks ago. What I was told if the cancer is gone, (Pet scan sch. the end of the month), they will just harvest my own stem cells and store them. I was under the impression that if the cancer is still in my bone they can't take it from me. The procedure is just like giving blood, takes a little time because they put your blood thru a machine. I'm surprised that you did not get a consultation first. You need to have them explain to you what's happening. Good Luck, I will post what happened to me on Friday.......... Vinny
  • sgoeden
    sgoeden Member Posts: 5
    #6
    vinny59 said:

    stem cell
    I'm going for my consultation this Friday, I had eight rounds of chemo, finished two weeks ago. What I was told if the cancer is gone, (Pet scan sch. the end of the month), they will just harvest my own stem cells and store them. I was under the impression that if the cancer is still in my bone they can't take it from me. The procedure is just like giving blood, takes a little time because they put your blood thru a machine. I'm surprised that you did not get a consultation first. You need to have them explain to you what's happening. Good Luck, I will post what happened to me on Friday.......... Vinny

    Stem Cell
    They did tell me the process actually. I'm just wondering what to expect as far physically and emotionally.
  • gmusgrove
    gmusgrove Member Posts: 15
    #7
    sgoeden said:

    Stem Cell
    They did tell me the process actually. I'm just wondering what to expect as far physically and emotionally.

    Stem Cell Transplant
    Sgoeden

    I had a SCT back in Sept. 2008. I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma. First started with R CHOP chemo, went into remission and was advised to do a SCT to prolong remission. I was my own donor of the SC. I had to travel to Dallas, TX from Arkansas for SCT. My clinic was BUMC. I went through 4 days of Neupogen shots to grow the SC. Had a Neostar line (catether)placed for the transplant. Then started Aphaersis (once) and was able to collect all the SC they needed to do the transplant. The Neupogen shots went OK with minor pain. Another person doing the Neupogen shots was in a lot of pain from them. The Aphaersis was just like give platlets. They run your blood through a machine then put it back into you. Then I had 6 days of BEAM chemo. After the chemo I had the SC put back into me, like getting blood through an IV, but they squeezed it into you. One thing when they had harvested the SC they freeze them until they are needed and they place a chemical into them to preserve them. The chemical is released during the infusion. The chemical gives you a smell and taste of cream corn.
    I was at my worst after 7-10 day from the chemo when my blood counts was lowest. Not a good time. Then my bone marrow started producing new cells and counts went up and was able to travel back home after a couple weeks.

    Praying all goes well in your SCT.

    Gary
  • shellbell13054
    shellbell13054 Member Posts: 1
    #8
    gmusgrove said:

    Stem Cell Transplant
    Sgoeden

    I had a SCT back in Sept. 2008. I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma. First started with R CHOP chemo, went into remission and was advised to do a SCT to prolong remission. I was my own donor of the SC. I had to travel to Dallas, TX from Arkansas for SCT. My clinic was BUMC. I went through 4 days of Neupogen shots to grow the SC. Had a Neostar line (catether)placed for the transplant. Then started Aphaersis (once) and was able to collect all the SC they needed to do the transplant. The Neupogen shots went OK with minor pain. Another person doing the Neupogen shots was in a lot of pain from them. The Aphaersis was just like give platlets. They run your blood through a machine then put it back into you. Then I had 6 days of BEAM chemo. After the chemo I had the SC put back into me, like getting blood through an IV, but they squeezed it into you. One thing when they had harvested the SC they freeze them until they are needed and they place a chemical into them to preserve them. The chemical is released during the infusion. The chemical gives you a smell and taste of cream corn.
    I was at my worst after 7-10 day from the chemo when my blood counts was lowest. Not a good time. Then my bone marrow started producing new cells and counts went up and was able to travel back home after a couple weeks.

    Praying all goes well in your SCT.

    Gary

    sct
    Did you need a blood transfusion when your counts were low? Any ideas on having a SCT with out a transfusion?
  • gmusgrove
    gmusgrove Member Posts: 15
    #9
    shellbell13054 said:

    sct
    Did you need a blood transfusion when your counts were low? Any ideas on having a SCT with out a transfusion?

    Stem Cell Transplant
    shellbell13054

    Yes, I did received red blood cells and plateletts during my recovery.

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