Discharge Instructions for Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant
Bone marrow transplant is a procedure used to treat many diseases such as:
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Blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma
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Solid tumors such as testicular cancer
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Blood diseases such as aplastic anemia
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Immune and genetic diseases
After bone marrow transplant, your risk of infection is greater because your immune system is weak for up to 6 months after the transplant. Protect yourself from infection by following the guidelines and precautions on this sheet.
Activity
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Increase your activity slowly.
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Begin light exercise such as walking.
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Get plenty of rest and take breaks between activities.
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Check with your healthcare provider before driving a car.
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Don’t swim until the central venous catheters have been removed.
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Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work or school.
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Avoid riding bicycles or motorcycles until your healthcare provider says it is OK.
Skin care
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Take care of your skin:
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Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom.
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Wash your hands before and after caring for your central venous catheter, if you have one.
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Use an electric razor for shaving.
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Protect your skin from the sun:
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Use hypoallergenic sunscreen with SPF of 15 or greater.
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Avoid direct sun exposure on your skin.
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Cover your head with a wig, scarf, or cap when you are outside.
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Limit exposure to bacteria
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Check with your healthcare provider before having intimate contact with anyone.
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Wear a mask when you walk through the hospital.
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Ask your healthcare provider before using certain cosmetics, contact lenses, tampons, and douches.
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Avoid public places such as shopping malls, especially during holidays and big sales events, until your immune system has recovered.
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Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold, the flu, or another contagious condition (like measles, chicken pox, herpes, viruses, pinkeye, coughs, sore throats).
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Limit visits with young children. They frequently have colds or the flu.
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Follow a low-bacteria diet. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about this diet.
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Ask your healthcare provider about contact with pets or animals. Use good handwashing and cleaning methods when coming in contact with any animal.
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Wash your hands immediately after animal contact.
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Avoid contact with pet urine or feces.
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Don’t clean litter boxes, cages, or aquariums.
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Keep your home clean.
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Clean floors, carpets, furniture, and countertops regularly.
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Be sure your bathroom is clean.
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Wash your hands after handling trash.
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Limit exposure to other substances
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Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
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Don’t do yard work such as gardening, mowing the lawn, or raking leaves. Don’t handle cut flowers or potted plants until your healthcare provider says it is OK.
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Don’t work on cars or machinery.
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Wear a mask when you are near construction areas, windy places, or any area with dust or fumes.
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Avoid chemicals and fumes such as gasoline, fuel oil, paints, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
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Don’t use portable humidifiers or vaporizers.
Medicine
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Take your medicines exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is very important that you follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully, and always take your medicines.
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Don’t take any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies unless you have discussed it with your healthcare provider first.
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Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects.
Follow-up
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:
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Any bleeding
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Vomiting, with or without blood
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider
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Shaking chills
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Shortness of breath
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Severe headache or confusion
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Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
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Loss of consciousness
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Black or tarry stools
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Diarrhea that does not go away after 2 loose stools
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Belly pain or cramping
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Any chest pain