Multiple Myeloma Support Group

we will find out on monday the 25th when m husband starts his SCT..when were you admitted to the hospital.. is the melphalan the chemo..I kniw what the velcade is as he gets that now once a month..and the dex he takes 2o mg a week now,,he was switched from the thialidamide to revlimid..he finished his chemo treatmnents last monday..
I wish you all the best..keep us updated..ty

Yes, melphalan is the chemo, it kills the bone marrow. The Huntsman actually does the treatment as outpatient, but they do want you nearby, so they have apartments 10 minutes away we are using (renting) for about a month. I was on Revlimed prior to coming to Huntsman, it worked great to get me into remission, but there was some concern prior to stem cell harvest. Revlimed somewhat inhibits the quantity of them cells produced, or can do something like that. I was on Revlimed for 4 months and was ok, sounded like 6 months might be a problem. Thalomid doesn't have this issue.

I hope your experience goes as smooth as mine. I was admitted into a hospital where they told me my stay would probably last from 4 to 6 weeks. Everything went so well that I got to go home at just short of three weeks; just in time for Christmas. There were a few days there where I felt pretty lousy, but they didn't last too long. Good luck with everything.

Melphalan and valcade done today, SCT tomorrow. Feeling good so far.

good luck

Day +2 and all is well. Had valcade with dex today.

Well, today is Day+6 after my stem cell transplant. So far not too bad, just keeping nausea a bay right now. Fatigue is starting, but not too bad. Started on a broad spectrum antibiotic (ertapenem) yesterday as a preventive to help reduce the risk of hospitalization. Finished with last chemo yesterday. I am now what is termed nutripenic, which is when my white blood cells are very low, so I have to wear a mask between the apartment and until I get into the treatment room at the hospital…now I can only go from the apartment the hospital until engraftment. Engraftment is when the stem cells have completed transformation into white cells and I have a good white cell count…looking for this to happen between day+10 and day +14, average is day+12, but really hoping for day+10. Today and everyday until engraftment I go in for blood work, the antibiotic, and a neutapin shot (stimulates white cell growth) as well as any blood products I could need (platelets or blood). I’ve had platelets during the stem cell collection, but not blood yet.

sounds like your doing pretty good..keep up the good work and ty for keeping us updated..ziz sppreciate it since my husband will be havung his SCT in a few weeks

Sounds like you're doing pretty good, Mike. By day 6 I think I was feeling pretty lousy. Didn't want to lift my head from the pillow let alone getting up and walking around. Kind of felt like I had a good case of the flu. Good luck to you.

Today is Day+7, mostly fighting a little nausea. My WBC went from .09 yesterday to .26 today as well as my platelets went from 19 to 36 after getting platelets yesterday. This looks promising and could be the first uptick. Now to see what tomorrow brings…hopefully higher WBC. So far I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop but have been very fortunate.