Infusion/Transplantation

The actual transplantation procedure for bone marrow or blood stem cell infusion is quick and relatively simple. Whether you are receiving your own bone marrow/stem cells or bone marrow/stem cells from a relative or someone who is not related to you, the transplant will resemble a blood transfusion and can take as little as 30 minutes or up to four hours to complete. There are generally few side effects.

If receive the type of transplant therapy where the marrow or blood stem cells have been stored in a freezer, the blood transfusion takes about 15 to 30 minutes and will be administered by your transplant physician.

During an infusion that uses frozen and then thawed marrow or stem cells, you will smell and taste a garlic-like odor or flavor. This is from the preservative DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) that is used during the process of freezing the cells that will be given to you. This taste and odor may persist for about 30 minutes, after which you'll probably become used to it. The garlic-like odor may also be detected in your urine, stool, saliva, and perspiration. This odor may be noticeable to those around you for two to four days after the infusion, but it will disappear completely within a week.

You may experience some common side effects during the infusion. These include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. You will be given pre-medication 30 minutes before the actual infusion to reduce these potential side effects. In addition, you may notice your urine turning a reddish-burgundy color after the infusion. Your urine should return to its normal color within 24 hours.