When I was diagnosed and in the hospital for my AML, they did inform me about the stem cell procedure. I was 73, there were no guarantees that I would be accepted, but I chose ( with my family)to refuse. Here's why:
* no guarantees I'd be accepted
* It's a 3 year process: one year to prep your cells and body; one year of the transplant and adjustment; one year of follow-up
* It's only done in my area in Boston so its a mandatory move to an apt near the hospital reserved for stem cell patients.
* You can be very sick for all of those years and in the middle a donor might not be found or you decide it's too much.
I'd have to uproot my daughter too as she is my listed caregiver, her career was just starting out.
If I was going to be sick as a dog, I wanted to be in my surroundings where I could find mini joys
Three years to gain maybe 2? Get an infection from it?
All that time spent to die naturally after? Miss out on three years of some life?
I chose chemo and whatever we could do. It proved to be the right decision for me.I'm on oral chemo at home, the AML has receded, now its just MDS that we're fighting and a smidge of AML. BUt I've had DAYS of "health", DAYS I could go out and tan, DAYS I had with my daughter and friends and school. So we did not proceed. It for me was then right decision. It was vetted when we lost Tatiana Schlossberg--she had AML, had a stem cell, she passed at 35. Remember this is only MY story. Ask a million questions, if you get the chance and proceed, we are ALL here for support. Hugs! Mich

P.S. I'm doing quite fine atm with minor symptoms---getting over an emotionally and mentally abusive husband is my greatest challenge. HUGE HUGS! M

Hospitalization depends on the chemo for sure and the severity of the leukemia.

I honestly don’t know John. Have you asked your medical team? Cardiologist?

I wonder why you are not taking medication? I was 72 when I requested medication which may have possible ill affects. I know medication can be effective for 10 to 20 years with possible ill affects. I know treatment with chemo means ill affects and a person's body being attacked by chemicals harming both good and bad cells. I think chemo requires a hospital visit in case the ill affects requires hospitalization from the ill affects.