After an autologous stem cell transplant (means you donate your own stem cells for the transplant) the first 100 Days after the transplant are when most complications might arise. I have none of my previous immunities to anything and have to be careful not to “catch a bug” during my recovery. My transplant center at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) requires that I stay in the area for 100 Days after my transplant which was done on September 13, 2011. This way, if a complication were to occur, I’d be able to return to UCH quickly. After 100 Days, I can return home to Mackay, Idaho. However, recovery of ones immunity after a stem cell transplant generally takes between 6 months to 1 year. At some point, I will have to get my childhood immunization again.
Now to complicate my DAY counting – I may require a 2nd or tandem autologous stem cell transplant in mid-November 2011. I am having a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow, November 2, 2011 and when the results are back in 1 week on November 9, 2011, the decision will be made if a 2nd transplant will be warranted. If I need the 2nd transplant, then my 100 DAY counting would begin anew on the day of the 2nd transplant which begins the counting again