Jill,
I had this regimen for my unrelated donor bone marrow transplant at City of Hope in 1998. My TBI was divided up into 10-minute sessions three times a day over 4 days. This was the most difficult part of the whole transplant process for me. Some people mostly breeze through it, but I was sick from the very first session to the end. Nowadays there are more effective anti-nausea drugs that help keep patients comfortable.
After the TBI, I had two days of cytoxan, which I expected to be as dreadful as the TBI, but I had no reactions at all. I had only one day of rest after the cytoxan, but it was enough for me because I wanted to get on with the show. My new bone marrow was infused the following evening. It was an amazing if somewhat anticlimatic experience. The premeds for the infusion put me to sleep but I got to hold the bags of marrow and watch the nurse hook me up.
I've posted a
summary of my experience under Member Profiles that you are welcome to read. My physical experience with transplant is not so relevant anymore because improvements in technology and care are helping patients feel better during the process and recover quicker afterwards, but the feelings of confusion and fear are still the same. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Where will your transplant be done?
Regards,
Ruth