The collection process took about 8 hours for me and they collected enough for 2 SCTs. You sit hooked up to a big machine that takes your blood, removes the stem cells, and returns the rest to your body. The preparation is chemo and neupogin shots that move the stem cells from your bone marrow to your blood for easier harvesting. That process is what might cause pain and flu-like symptoms for some people. The actual collection process did not cause pain, it was just inconvenient to go to the bathroom!

I felt a little worn out but not bad. My problem was the stress and worry if they will be able to harvest enough. And what’s next. It all worked out so worry for nothing.

@A MyMyelomaTeam Member harvest only? Cool! My harvest was easy-peasy, luckily. Gut injections to push marrow into bloodstream for a few days, then hook up to apheresis machine for harvesting. Basically pulling out cells, removing stem, and returning the blood. Took about 6 hours for me, and they got what they needed first time. I was at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. I got my transplant about a week later, Sept 2021. Back to work 2 weeks later. If they're only harvesting, make sure to take the time to get into as good a physical shape as you can! Go in strong, recovery is easier! Good luck and God bless!

Mentioned Users

A MyMyelo...

I live 3 hours from the university hospital treatment center so I was inpatient for my chemo/collection experience. The high dose chemo caused decreased cardiac function. So only got one stem cell transplant at that time. Heart function returned to normal with some medication help. Remission ever since and stem cells frozen at center if needed in the future.

They whole SCT is not fun but doable. Stay positive, hydrated and be easy on yourself.