Hello Gwendolyn,   I am so sorry to hear about your loved one, sometimes all the time in the world never seems enough.    How are you currently holding up? ... View more

Hello Sev76,   According to Mayo Clinic:   After your bone marrow transplant When the new stem cells enter your body, they travel through your blood to your bone marrow. In time, they multiply and begin to make new, healthy blood cells. This is called engraftment. It usually takes several weeks before the number of blood cells in your body starts to return to normal. In some people, it may take longer.   In the days and weeks after your bone marrow transplant, you'll have blood tests and other tests to monitor your condition. You may need medicine to manage complications, such as nausea and diarrhea.   After your bone marrow transplant, you'll remain under close medical care. If you're experiencing infections or other complications, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days or sometimes longer. Depending on the type of transplant and the risk of complications, you'll need to remain near the hospital for several weeks to months to allow close monitoring.   You may also need periodic transfusions of red blood cells and platelets until your bone marrow begins producing enough of those cells on its own.   You may be at greater risk of infections or other complications for months to years after your transplant. You'll have periodic lifelong follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor for late complications.   Medications If your bone marrow transplant is using stem cells from a donor (allogeneic transplant), your doctors may prescribe medications to help prevent graft-versus-host disease and reduce your immune system's reaction (immunosuppressive medications).   After your transplant, it takes time for your immune system to recover. During this time, you may be given medications to prevent infections.   Diet and other lifestyle factors After your bone marrow transplant, you may need to adjust your diet to stay healthy and to prevent excessive weight gain. Your nutrition specialist (dietitian) and other members of your transplant team will work with you to create a healthy-eating plan that meets your needs and complements your lifestyle. Your dietitian can also give you food suggestions to control side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as nausea.   Some of your dietitian's recommendations may include:   Following food safety guidelines to prevent foodborne infections Eating a wide variety of healthy foods, including vegetables; fruits; whole grains; lean meats, poultry and fish; legumes; and healthy fats, such as olive oil Limiting salt intake Restricting alcohol Avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice due to their effect on a group of immunosuppressive medications (calcineurin inhibitors) After your bone marrow transplant, regular physical activity helps you control your weight, strengthen your bones, increase your endurance, strengthen your muscles and keep your heart healthy. As you recover, you can slowly increase your physical activity.   Taking steps to prevent cancer is even more important after your transplant. Don't smoke. Wear sunscreen when you're outside, and be sure to get the cancer screenings your doctor recommends.   Results A bone marrow transplant can cure some diseases and put others into remission. Goals of a bone marrow transplant depend on your individual situation, but usually include controlling or curing your disease, extending your life, and improving your quality of life.   Some people complete bone marrow transplantation with few side effects and complications. Others experience numerous challenging problems, both short and long term. The severity of side effects and the success of the transplant vary from person to person and sometimes can be difficult to predict before the transplant.   It can be discouraging if significant challenges arise during the transplant process. However, it is sometimes helpful to remember that there are many survivors who also experienced some very difficult days during the transplant process but ultimately had successful transplants and have returned to normal activities with a good quality of life.   I hope everything went well. ... View more

Hi there Mc407,   I am sorry to hear about your husband but it is good news that the cancers is getting smaller! How is everyone holding up at the moment? ... View more

Hi,   If your don't mind me asking - How are you currently holding up? I was wondering if there was something I can do for you? ... View more

Hi there,   How are you currently holding up?? I hear the virus will hopefully be over soon. ... View more

Hi there Timo,   I just recently read your post and was wondering how you were currently doing at the moment? ... View more

Hey lacrosse123,   That sounds so surreal/unnerving and this happened in such a short time as well but I am so relieved that your mother is recovering extremely well and that she is surrounded by loved ones, (plus a familiar environment tends to help with healing as well as it reduces stress). At least they caught and removed the mass from her heart before any more damage was done, this is a positive step so far and soon she will be going to a esteemed Boston facility as well. It seems everything is planned, organised and ready to be put into action as needed. One step at an step - never overload yourself with too many 'what ifs' because the funny thing about 'what ifs', they rarely come true in most cases. It's just the mind preparing itself for anything that might come it's way - no matter how silly or unrealistic it could be.   Sarcoma can have patterns but it's really not that predictable to be honest, sarcoma tends to travel around the body in the later stages but like I said everyone is different so I would only be guessing the pattern effect. If she does have another heart surgery, at least the offending cancer would be removed. As long as she has time to recover from the first operation then the second should be logically okay as well. Plus they doctor did say there are no red flags remember?   Unfortunately the cancer can travel up into the brain in some cases, please remember every case is different. Plus they can treat that with radiotherapy, that will help kill the little evil cells from coming. Usually if it's on the brain, you will see a change in behaviour. E.g. They get more angry at things that never use to bother them before, they tend to forget things, they might get a little paranoid, moods that can change fast, become to focus on one particular thing, no sense of balance (cannot walk in a straight line), might run into walls, headaches, cognitive problems, nausea and vomiting and etc. The cancer tends to kill the muscles as well in the late stages, where walking is not possible.   If your doctor thinks there is something there then I highly recommend you push for a scan as soon as possible, don't take no for answer if you can help it. It could be something else but still, try for the scan.   And I'd considered Google to be an double edge sword, yes it will give you information and statistics but there are far too many factors for any information that you read to be regarded the whole and only truth. E.g. genetics, different environments, exposure to an range of chemicals, age, what treatments are done, different countries, and etc. It's impossible to get an exact date or a accurate time. There are just far too many factors. Like you said before she very well could live for another 70 years, it's quite possible.   However if you wish to read then by all means, please do, especially if it gives you comfort but your doctor did suggest staying away from google for an reason - it can cause more damage than good sometimes. (Reading negative data over time can have a massive impact on one's hopes, faith and attitude towards the situation). I believe it's best just listening to your doctor and the information he has to offer instead. (Especially if the information is solely about your mother's case and no on else's). Don't overwhelm yourself with other people's cases or the forever changing statistics.   So far it seems to me that your mother is handling the cancer treatment well and any that pops up will be treated or removed as it's being handled that way anyhow. Remember to look after yourself as well, enjoy a small hobbie that you like to do, like colouring, painting, reading or anything like that. You could even read a book to your mother or maybe watch some movies together in her bedroom. Or keep a dairy, write down your feelings or keep an schedule book for all her appointments, what treatments has been done or medicine she has been taking so you know what's been already done.   Please do keep us updated.   ... View more

If you ever wanna talk in the future, please don't hesitate to keep us updated. ... View more

True, that's the nature of the internet - too many random statistics and they always range so differently. (Especially state to state or website to website).    That's a good plan you have in place, just keep calm and wait for the facts from the doctors themselves. Also don't ever be afraid to change doctors at the esteemed facility, if you believe you could do better - no harm in getting second opinions.   If you ever wanna talk, I'm here - please do keep me updated. ... View more

Hi Mjay,   Welcome to our forums, it sounds like you still have some family support available to you but just not nearly enough as you need or desire. I see that you mentioned that your husband is still mainly okay to operate on his own at the moment, have you directly asked your son if he could provide some assistance during some days (even if they moved out). That way hopefully he cannot change the subject on you.   If things do happen to become a little more difficult in the future, there are recourses for you to take advantage of. You could arrange for an nurse to come and visit, to help you in the caring duties. I believe you can arrange this through either cancer council, centre link or the treating hospital (guidance counselor). But if it becomes too stressful...you can always place your husband in palliative care, that way the nurses will take on most of the pressure and caring needs as well. He would be well looked after and you could visit him everyday or even help yourself too but with less demand.   These are merely options to consider if the need ever crosses your path but for now maybe arranging a future schedule with your family, could help balance out the needs. ... View more