I’ve had my nummy nummy stem cells re-infused (as well as a transfusion of two units of blood). That was very anticlimactic. Except for when the nurses came in singing happy birthday to me. They have a tradition of doing that for Stem Cell Day 0. There are balloons.
However, now the side effects of the BEAM chemo are beginning to kick in, mostly nausea, heartburn, fevers, dry mouth, absence of taste (what else is new?), and various aches and pains.
The side effects will get much worse. I’m only on Day +1 (they do a countdown to Stem Cell Day, so Day 0 is when I get my stem cells and Day +1 is the day after I get then), and I’ll start my hard crash tomorrow dipping down until Day +7. Then I’ll, hopefully, start plateauing and recovering. 
On an up note, I no longer need to be tethered to an IV tree, so I have as much freedom as my small hospital room allows. I’m not allowed to walk the halls for exercise anymore because of my fevers. They did a barrage of cultures and tests to make sure I don’t have anything that could endanger my floor-mates. We’re still waiting to hear back from those, and I am VERILY restless and bored.
I’m sleeping better now, thanks mostly to all the drugs their pumping into me. IV Zofran, Ativan, and Benadryl seem to be doing a good job of knocking me out and keeping me that way.
A drugged sleep is better than no sleep, I sez.
Hooray for sleep! Hang in there. We’re rooting for you!
I guess I’m late asking this, but is this basically a self-transplant of your own bone marrow? The process as you’ve described it sounds just like my understanding of a bone marrow transplant. But you’ve consistently called it “stem cells.” Is this something relatively new?
In any event, I’m glad you’re more than halfway through this tunnel now. I love you! Get through this!
Loss of taste ?? So, you’re watching Honey-Boo-Boo and QVC ???? (couldn’t resist)
Get well. Dragon Con is coming…. 😉