Hi, feeling afraid of the transplant is totally normal. When I realized I had to have another transplant, I was not happy, but realized I really needed to change my mindset before the transplant, so I decided to focus on the positive. If it works, I will finally be able do the things I love, which I haven't been able to do now for 2 years! And instead of having to be at my clinic 4-7 times per week, I will be able to do many other things I haven't been able to for 2 years as well.
Did you have the ATG treatment? If yes, how long ago was this & what medications are you currently on from this treatment?
It might help you to seek clarification from your Dr if by "Bone Marrow Transplant" they are actually suggesting a Stem Cell Transplant. Sometimes Drs don't differenciate between the 2. If an actual Bone Marrow Transplant, my understanding is the cells in the Bone Marrow are less mature than those in a Stem Cell transplant, so engraftment may take longer and require longer hospilization. There are very good reasons one is preferred over another and getting the clarity from your team will help.
I would also ask them how many of these types of transplants they do each year. Are you comfortable with your Dr's aplastic anemia and transplant experience...
At your age, (still in your 30's) I believe there are several options available and Drs would typically choose the one which is reported to be the best for your age and level of AA. For example you may eligible for the full conditioning treatment (myeloablative). They don't typically do the full treatment at my age (53) which is why I had a "mini" or non-myeloablative. Your Dr should be able to explain to you what treatment he or she is suggesting, and why. In addition to the age factor and severity of AA, there are other factors to consider when the Dr chooses a particular treatment.
You say you have a mismatched 10/10 donor. 10/10 is excellent so is it the blood type that is not matched? If this is the case, there are many patients who have had 10/10 matches with a different blood type and they typically do quite well.
Regarding your donor, my understanding is the donor centers will hold that donor for you for 6 months,
Everyone respondes differently to the transplants & no 2 patients are alike. And although it seems hard to believe at times, it really does go by quickly most days.
My background. I developed SAA June 2011, 3 months following a stem cell transplant I had using my own cells to treat a different blood disorder. I am still in remission from that, but it left me with the SAA. This is almost unheard of, post transplant, but I have had lowish platelets and whitecells for years. Nothing so low that needed to be treated, just watched, but perhaps my marrow was just not strong enough to maintain the 1st transplant, truly though, we will never know for sure why. I had Horse ATG in March 2012 and it didn't work, so for me the next options was the donor transplant I just had. My understanding is that most would have a 2nd ATG before going to transplant, but because of my history and a couple of infections I had over the summer, my Dr determined the transplant was my best bet
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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Originally Posted by LoveRapheal1
I am so happy for you! Is this different from a bone marrow transplant because I am scheduled to receive one if I don't respond to this treatment real soon with an unmatched 10/10 donor because I am really low. I am a 38 year old female and only have Severe Aplastic Anemia. I would greatly appreciate it if you don't mind if you could tell me a bit more about yourself and situation. I must say I know I'm supposed to have faith that God will hear me but I am petrified of this transplant.
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