Preparing Your Body for the Transplant
One to ten days before your transplant, you will receive chemotherapy and/or total body irradiation to prepare your body to receive the new stem cells. This is called the conditioning or preparative regimen.
Day of Transplant
A few days after the conditioning regimen, your transplant will occur. Healthy blood stem cells will be infused into you much like a blood transfusion.
Returning Home
When you no longer need to be hospitalized, your recovery will continue at home or at lodging near the hospital. You'll want to be sure your home is safe for your return. For several weeks or months, you'll need to make frequent visits to the outpatient clinic for follow-up care.
Preventing Infection
Your immune system will not fully return to normal until many months after transplant. During this time you will need to take precautions to protect yourself against infection.
Eating Difficulties
Mouth sores, a dry mouth, changes in how food tastes, and other issues can make eating difficult for a time. Nonetheless, it is important to consume sufficient calories, protein, nutrients, and minerals to help your body recover.
Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
If you were transplanted with cells from a donor, you may develop a common complication called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Talk with a Transplant Survivor or Family Member
Would you like to talk with someone who has been through a transplant, either as the patient or family caregiver, to learn how they managed the experience?
Our Caring Connections Program can connect you with a survivor or family caregiver who can answer your questions and provide support.
Next Page: Chemotherapy, Radiation and Side Effects
