Always follow the advice of your care team.
During and After Stem Cell Infusion
You will receive your stem cell infusion on Day 0. Stem cell infusion is a very similar process to a blood transfusion. Many patients talk about how surprised they are at how fast and uneventful the stem cell infusion is. The stem cells come in the same bag that blood comes in and can appear clear, yellow, or pink in color.
depending on the volume of the product and if you experience any side effects. There may be multiple bags of stem cells to be infused. With multiple bags of stem cells, the infusion will take more time.
Although the bags may look small, the volume of fluid is not important, it is the number of
stem cells you are receiving that is important. A small amount of fluid can have millions of stem cells!
Side Effects
Potential side effects that you should let your nurse know about include:
Your nurse will be with you during the whole stem cell infusion; you will not be alone.
Additional Side Effects from DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) preservative is used to protect your stem cells if they are frozen. DMSO can cause some side effects during and after your infusion. Common side effects are hives, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, diarrhea, facial flushing, high or low blood pressure, fast or slow heartbeat, chest tightness, fever, and chills. Tell your care team how you are feeling. They are experienced in managing these side effects.
Your body’s expected response to the DMSO can include:
After the Stem Cell Infusion
There is a chance that you may experience a delayed infusion reaction. For this reason, you must remain in the clinic for observation for 2 hours following the completion of your infusion. Your nurse will not remain in the room with you during this monitoring period but will be checking on you frequently, be available if you have any questions, or if you need anything. In the days after your stem cell infusion, you may have one or more of these side effects:
Scheduled Clinic Visits After Your Stem Cell Infusion
Following your stem cell infusion, you will have appointments every day for 10 to 21 days. Your care team will test your blood counts every day to check for engraftment. Engraftment is when your new stem cells begin to make new blood (red blood cells, platelets, and other parts of the immune system). The time it takes to reach this stage depends on many factors, including stem cell source (bone marrow or peripheral blood), the type of transplant, and your pre-transplant therapies.
Your clinic visits may be lengthy. You should plan to be at the clinic for up to 12 hours each day. During your scheduled visits, you will:
You may also see a pharmacist, dietitian, social worker, or resource specialist when needed.
Your caregiver will need to bring you to and take you home from your appointments. They will also need to participate in the education sessions with your care team. It is not
necessary for them to stay with you the entire time. There will be times when they
can get out to take a walk or get a coffee.
Reminders for Your Scheduled Clinic Visits
- Depending on if you are having any symptoms on Day 0 you might receive intravenous (IV) hydration and/or anti-nausea medication.
- Depending on what type of central line you have, we may need to insert a peripheral IV to infuse your stem cells.
- Shortly before the infusion your nurse will give you medications to prevent a possible reaction.
- Prior to starting the infusion, your nurse and a second nurse will come into your room and verify the stem cells are for you.
- Chaplaincy can bless your cells prior to the infusion, if that is something you are interested in.
- Your nurse will then check your vital signs and begin the infusion. Your vital signs will be checked again 5 minutes into the infusion and at the completion of the infusion. You will remain connected to the vital signs machine during the entire infusion.
depending on the volume of the product and if you experience any side effects. There may be multiple bags of stem cells to be infused. With multiple bags of stem cells, the infusion will take more time.
Although the bags may look small, the volume of fluid is not important, it is the number of
stem cells you are receiving that is important. A small amount of fluid can have millions of stem cells!
Side Effects
Potential side effects that you should let your nurse know about include:
- Full body flushing/facial flushing, itching, hives
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain/tightness
- Abdominal cramps, nausea/vomiting
- Light headedness
Your nurse will be with you during the whole stem cell infusion; you will not be alone.
Additional Side Effects from DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) preservative is used to protect your stem cells if they are frozen. DMSO can cause some side effects during and after your infusion. Common side effects are hives, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, diarrhea, facial flushing, high or low blood pressure, fast or slow heartbeat, chest tightness, fever, and chills. Tell your care team how you are feeling. They are experienced in managing these side effects.
Your body’s expected response to the DMSO can include:
- A strong unpleasant taste in your mouth. Sucking on hard candy can help.
- You and others around you may notice an odor during the infusion and in your body fluids (urine, sweat) over the next 1 to 2 days. Some describe it as a garlic-like odor.
- Your urine may change color (pink, red or orange). This is a result of your body removing the red blood cells that were mixed in with your stem cells. The discoloration can last for 24 to 48 hours after your stem cell infusion.
After the Stem Cell Infusion
There is a chance that you may experience a delayed infusion reaction. For this reason, you must remain in the clinic for observation for 2 hours following the completion of your infusion. Your nurse will not remain in the room with you during this monitoring period but will be checking on you frequently, be available if you have any questions, or if you need anything. In the days after your stem cell infusion, you may have one or more of these side effects:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Skin rashes
- Mucositis, which are mouth sores and can make it difficult to eat or drink
- Diarrhea which may persist for some time
- Lack of appetite. Many patients do not eat very much for several days after their stem cell infusion. This is common, so be sure to eat when you can and drink plenty of fluids.
Scheduled Clinic Visits After Your Stem Cell Infusion
Following your stem cell infusion, you will have appointments every day for 10 to 21 days. Your care team will test your blood counts every day to check for engraftment. Engraftment is when your new stem cells begin to make new blood (red blood cells, platelets, and other parts of the immune system). The time it takes to reach this stage depends on many factors, including stem cell source (bone marrow or peripheral blood), the type of transplant, and your pre-transplant therapies.
Your clinic visits may be lengthy. You should plan to be at the clinic for up to 12 hours each day. During your scheduled visits, you will:
- Meet with your care team, including your outpatient transplant doctor, NP/PA, and nurses.
- Have blood draws/labs to check your blood counts. Based on your counts and how you feel, you may get infusions of fluid, blood, or support drugs such as anti-nausea medicines.
- Receive medications as part of your treatment plan, or supportive care.
- Review your medications and medication sheets.
- Have education sessions to review diet, medication, and infection precautions.
You may also see a pharmacist, dietitian, social worker, or resource specialist when needed.
Your caregiver will need to bring you to and take you home from your appointments. They will also need to participate in the education sessions with your care team. It is not
necessary for them to stay with you the entire time. There will be times when they
can get out to take a walk or get a coffee.
Reminders for Your Scheduled Clinic Visits
- Wear a mask to protect yourself from infection when outside of your room.
- Bring your Outpatient Transplant Workbook (which will be given to you during your consent appointment) and your medications, if instructed by your care team.
- Wear layers of comfortable clothing.
- Pack things to help pass the time, such as a book, tablet device, or laptop.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Bring snacks and drinks that follow our nutrition guidelines. Some food will be provided for you in the clinic.
- Limit visitors to 2 per day to allow for infusions, education, and rest.
For more information on managing side effects, infection precautions, nutrition, medications, physical activity and more:
- Allogeneic patients (patients receiving donor stem cells):
Go to Recovery After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant - Autologous patients (patients receiving their own stem cells):
Go to Recovery After Autologous Stem Cell Transplant