Myeloma transplant - Days -02 to 05

This is a daily diary of my autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for multiple myeloma compiled from my diary and my own recollections.
The transplant was at the bone marrow transplant unit (BMTU), Auckland Hospital, New Zealand, December 2001.
As I had transport difficulties it was decided I would stay in the BMTU for the duration of the transplant. Due to a 4 day fever and complications removing my central line this turned out to be 25 days.
I must stress that this is my experience of my ASCT. Others will differ in protocol, hospital procedures and what their health was at that time. After speaking to others about their ASCT there is a variation in how one coped, we are all different.
My ASCT daily diary is over 4 postings, this is posting 1 of 4; days -02 to 05.
A complete list of links to my previous ASCT postings are at the end of the 4th ASCT posting.

Treatment/medication.
Acyclovir --antiviral (herpes, chicken pox etc.)
Allopurinol: -------decreases uric acid concentrations
Ativan --------------decreases anxiety
Cefpirone ----------antibiotic
Clexane ------------low molecular weight heparin to reduce blood clotting activity.
Codeine ------------to control diarrhoea
Cyclizure-----------anti- nausea
Dexamethasone--------- synthetic corticosteroid (steroid)
Gentamian----------bacterial antibiotic
Haloperidol --------anti-nausea
Maxalon ------------anti nausea
Melphalan high dose melphalan --(chemotherapy)
Meropenen ---------antibiotic
Methylprednisolone -----anti-inflammatory steroid
Panadol ---------------paracetamol based pain relief
Vitamin C
Temazepan ----------sedative
Zofran ----------------anti-nausea

Day -02: First day.
Good sleep at home; woke early.
It is a significant day, the beginning of my ASCT hospitalisation.
Admission to hospital, check in and administration tasks chest x-ray.
Headache in evening given panadol, vomit at 10pm, probably stress and dehydration.
Treatment/medication: Panadol, Clexane, Temazepan, Maxalon.
Red bloods 4.21; white bloods 9.04; platelets 300; weight 70.45kg (155 lbs)

Day -01: Chemotherapy infusion.
Broken sleep overnight, minor headache when getting up.
Felt down this morning, new environment, perked up when Myra arrived, my wife and caregiver.
Chemo in at mid-day, high dose melphalan and dexamethasone.
Saline continual through to mid-day tomorrow. Pass urine into containers for measuring total volume.
Visit by physio, spent time on Exercycle plus talk on what exercises to do. We agreed on Exercycle, stretching, exercises, walk outside, walk in corridors, walk in BMTU. All may be limited by white counts or fatigue.
Nausea started after dinner.
Treatment/medication: Panadol, Clexane, Allopurinol, Zofran, Dexamethasone, High dose Melphalan, Frusemide?.
Link: Myeloma Transplant - Caregiver
Link: <>Myeloma Transplant - Exercise

Day 0: Peripheral blood stem cell infusion.
Last night long time to get to sleep (steroids?).
On saline overnight, nausea pills toned down nausea, don’t feel like eating.
After breakfast 10 minutes Exercycle, walked 30 minutes, stretching.
Stem cell infusion at mid-day, all went well.
Minor light headed for a short while. Myra could smell the preservative, like strong corn.
Having Myra present perks me up.
Stayed up until 11pm watching TV.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Allopurinol, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, Peripheral blood stem cells, [Anti-nausea: Maxalon, Zofran x2].
Weight 71.05kg (157 lbs)
Link: <>Myeloma Transplant - Stem cell infusion.

Day 01:
Slept reasonable, dozed through to 7.30am.
Started dull headache and sore jaw joint, took panadol but no effect.
Remaining active.
Felt good for 3 hours then down after lunch, felt weepy and emotional.
Nausea, tired, eating little except for soft foods.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Temazepan, Dexamethasone, Allopurinol, Acyclovir, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, [Anti-nausea: Maxalon Zofran x2].
Red bloods 3.67; white bloods 10.80; platelets 229; weight 69.65kg (153.5 lbs)

Day 02: Food tasting bland.
Bad night, had sleeping pill with little effect, not much sleep at all. First 3 hours no sleep then broken sleep. Became apprehensive again.
Feeling better during day, went for a walk with Myra.
Food tasting bland, smell of some food is offensive.
Steroids keep me awake, last dose tomorrow.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Temazepan, Ativan, Allopurinol, Acyclovir x2, Vitamin C, Methylprednisolone, [Anti-nausea: Zofran].
Weight 69.60kg (153.4 lbs)
Link: <>Myeloma Transplant - Food

Day 03:
Good solid sleep 10pm to 7.30am assisted by sleeping pills and sedative.
Felt better all day though susceptible to the occasional drop.
Walked through the corridors to the children’s Starship hospital with Myra to maintain exercise.
Mouth and tongue starting to go off, strange taste.
Still feel weepy at times. A few burps and hiccups today.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Temazepan, Ativan, Allopurinol, Acyclovir x2, Vitamin C, Methylprednisolone.
Red bloods 3.46; white bloods 7.76; platelets 187; weight 70.40kg (155 lbs)

Day 04: Diarrhoea underway.
Good sleep with pills again. Woke at 4am with mouth/throat/gut problems. Nausea, dry reaching, mucus, salvia, burping. Had Maxalon then tablets.
Breakfast took a while. Food and drink difficult today. Struggled to eat dinner, took over an hour. Nausea after dinner again so took Zofran.
Diarrhoea underway, rumble, rumble. Gargle tonight included a small throw up.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Temazepan, Ativan, Allopurinol, Acyclovir x2, Vitamin C, Dexamethasone, [Anti-nausea: Maxalon, Zofran].
Weight 68.70kg (151.5 lbs)
Link: <>Myeloma transplant - Nausea.
Link: <>Myeloma Transplant - Diarrhoea

Day 05: IV fluids commence.
Good sleep with pills again, woke with nausea.
Today a bad day, too much nausea, was off food. The pills reduced the nausea but it never went away, advised to take anti-nausea medication regularly, I agreed with this.
IV fluids commenced. Still doing exercises.
White counts now dropping, starting to go down into the valley.
Developing a rash, a rash sample was taken.
Felt fatigued.
Treatment/medication: Clexane, Temazepan, Ativan, Allopurinol, Acyclovir x2, Vitamin C, [Anti-nausea: Maxalon x3, Zofran x2].
Red bloods 3.80; white bloods 2.09; platelets 140; weight 67.15kg (148 lbs)