I’m back having found this group useful before we are now ready for my mums Auto SCT on 17th Dec. Harvest just been completed. She’s obviously scared at 70 years of age! My job is to keep her motivation going right now so she’s asked me to help start getting her case packed. Please let me know what the absolute must haves are and any items which might make the stay more pleasant. We know she will have her own fridge so any go to ideas to stock in there?
on a less practical side I have a more medical question please. They have said she has 2 ‘markers’ which have some risks, but I have been only able to establish that 1 relates to the bone marrow and 1 is to do with chromosome? Any ideas on this, however I appreciate it may be a broad question?
thanks for any input
Hi again Reedy71 as for your question about the markers I don’t know but there may be someone else that can help you out.
You will find this old post Checklist for SCT Unit where you will see some suggestions as to what people thought important to have in the SCT unit.
Do you know what conditioning (chemo) will be used to take down her immune system before she gets her clean Stem Cells back?
Hi reedy71
In respect of the markers, it will depend on the condition your mum has..
My wife had AML and the 2 main markers were NPN1 and FLT3. These seem to be the 2 the team look for. NPN1 is quite normal and very common. FLT3 is another mutation that requires more attention in the treatment.
In regard to packing a case, I would suggest, reading material, NON SCENTED soap, deodorant and moisturiser, shampoo and bodywork. A tablet/mobile is she has one or both, baby toothbrush, maybe her favourite ambient snacks if the food becomes unvearable.
Hope all goes well.
Fulhamboy (Nick)
No I will ask her see if her notes tells her. I know it will be given on the 18tn and then transplant over 3 days from 20th. They have said the ill effects of the chemo are likely to kick in around 23rd
She said it was Melphalan. Don’t trust the spelling tho
Ok so have a look at this important thread.
Hi again Reed71
You spelt it correctly, this was given to my wife over one day for a few hours. It's was given a day or so prior to her Allo SCT. this drug can have side effects especially to the skin. My wife came out in large skin blotches that looked like burns. Not painful of irritating at all just a bit worrying. This can be easily cleared up with antihistamines which they will give you. It cleared up very very quickly in about 1 hour.
Nick
Yes they mentioned the ice! My mum is taking her ice box in with a stash of ice lollies for the chemo. Any tips on when/if the mouth is sore on easing it or is it simply more ice
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