It’s not a walk in the park but the more you know the better you’ll be able to tolerate it. I told my doctor it’s like going through a wormhole (as if I could imagine that). You’ll probably get a full dose of Melphalan to totally eradicate your immune system. But before that you will get a PICC line installed in your arm which stays there the entire stay. The PICC line allows them to take blood samples day and night without pricking you constantly. YOU WILL THEN Go home that night and return to the hospital for a 2-4 week stay. The first 2-3 days time slows to a crawl then your body will go through some contusions where by day 5-6 your are weak, lightheaded, dizzy, maybe nauseous, maybe vomit, and you won’t want to get out of bed let alone walk the hallway. During that time you will get your stem cells injected back into your body through the PICC line. My nurse practitioner injected 5 big vials of cells which felt cold going through my heart. All normal feeling. Then, as if in a wormhole you begin to see the light of day and you feel yourself making progress. Spoiler alert- your hair will fall out in clumps. DO NOT BE DEPRESSED OR CRY! You will still be beautiful and you can pull it off. Have the nurses shave your head. It’s easier and more sanitary. I became Bruce Willis’s stand in! I was lucky. I was released on day 14 which I believe is the earliest you can go home. My goal was to be a model patient and impress the doctors and nursing staff. I did. You will be in a 100 day recovery period which actually starts with your chemo shot. Remember, you will be in your room at least 14 days with the ability to shower every day, walk the halls and visit the “treat” room for water and snacks. I was lucky. I watched TV (business shows during the day and sports at night) and took naps. My team (and there are a lot of people) were absolutely amazing. I had many doctors and nurses and orderlies helping me. IT WILL NOT BE AS BAD AS YOU THINK!

Yes hope you are better now after stem cell transplant! I’m doing lots better now still stay cold mostly hands and feet take iron supplement and B-12 drops drink beetroot juice need to eat some liver and onions!
I read where sct patients have overload of iron and it works against them so I’m hesitant to take much iron now.

Thank you, Mark Parker for the great information. I'm waiting to hear from Orlando HEalth about when they can do my pre-testing. I hope you continue to do well.

Thank you so much for all this really good information.

I hope all goes well for you