Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group

Not a bother at all. It's good you are reaching out and asking others to share their experiences. Positive experiences are very encouraging to hear! I've not had a transplant, but we are waiting for them to find the right match for my 28-year old sister's transplant. Our brother and I did not test as a match for her. But, they think they have a few possible matches on the registry. What is your diagnosis?

I had an autologous BMT 1/19/11. I was in the hospital 20 days, and went home on the 13th day after the transplant (Feb 1st). The usual recuperation time at home is about 100 days, after which I went back to work full time (May 2nd), in complete remission. It's not a particularly pleasant experience, but there's no pain per se. You're just really tired and very weak for longer than you think you will be, and you will take a lot of drugs and sleep a lot. Your appetite will go away, as will your taste and your hair. All of that comes back, though, about 3 months after the transplant. Watch cooking shows on TV to get your appetite back up - it works. You'll also be on a neutropenic diet, which is a pain, but necessary. However, if the BMT helps cure your disease, it's well worth the experience. BMTs are more common in certain hospitals than others, because they require a lot of resources from the hospital, but find a good cancer center, and a good oncologist, and you'll be fine in no time.

Hi
I hope things are going well.
I had my BMT in March 2010.

I'm still dealing with GVHD, but it's not so bad. I laugh at the symptoms as often as I'm annoyed by them. Things are getting better all the time. I'm taking less and less meds. I feel amazing!

I hope you experience the same.

Hi, Im 40 and found out july 7th 2011 that i have A L L. Ive been doing chemo since and now facing a BMT. I just got back from mayo clinic in jax, fl and Im waiting for a match. I too am nervous and looking for a freind. I have plenty of wonderful friends and family, but noone that knows what im going through.

purkitty 71, I was diagnosed in January 26, 2011 with AML and had a Stem cell transplant on March 30. I had a sibling match for my BMT. It is nerve racking. If you go to the Acute Myelogenous Leukemia site there is a bunch of us who have AML or ALL and have had chemo or a transplant or is a caregiver of someone. You should check it out. Its been a good group for me with some really nice people.

Abby

purkiity71: I had my BMT at Mayo Jax back in January 2011. You're in great hands, and in a great facility. The 3 North wing is set up especially for transplant patients, and since they do a lot of them, the staff knows their stuff. Schedule a conversation with the Transplant Coordinator before you go in, and ask him all the questions you and your family can think of. They'll even give you a tour of the wing, so you can speak to the nurses beforehand. Come back on this site afterwards while you're recuperating and we'll tell you all the side effects you can expect too. Good luck!