What can you expect during the first 11 days after your husband's autologous stem cell transplant?
The initial period after the high-dose chemotherapy (typically melphalan) is indeed challenging. Physically, your husband will likely experience several difficult symptoms:
* Severe nausea and vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Mouth Show Full Answer
What can you expect during the first 11 days after your husband's autologous stem cell transplant?
The initial period after the high-dose chemotherapy (typically melphalan) is indeed challenging. Physically, your husband will likely experience several difficult symptoms:
* Severe nausea and vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Mouth sores (mucositis)
* Extreme fatigue and weakness
* Hair loss if he hasn't already lost it
* Loss of appetite
His immune system will be essentially nonexistent during this time, making strict sterile precautions critical. Emotionally and mentally, this period can be very taxing. A MyMyelomaTeam member who went through this described sleeping a lot and eventually experiencing hallucinations from the isolation and not being able to see their children normally. The combination of feeling physically terrible, being isolated, and the uncertainty can lead to depression and anxiety.
Here are some practical tips that may help:
* Encourage him to chew ice during and after the chemo infusion - this helps prevent mouth sores
* Don't hesitate to ask for anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medications
* Bring comforting items like photos, music, movies, and books
* Understand he may sleep much of the time
* Try to encourage eating when possible, even though appetite will be poor
Your daily visits will be incredibly important for his emotional well-being during this difficult time.
February 4
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