Bone marrow transplant involves infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body to replace your damaged or diseased bone marrow. It is also called a stem cell transplant. The transplant might use cells from your own body(autologous) or a donor(allogeneic). It is indicated in patients with acute leukemia, aplastic anemia, chronic leukemia, immune deficiencies, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bone transplant is a complex process that requires healing. Therefore, the following measures should be followed for faster recovery.
Proper diet.
Following a bone marrow transplant in India, you might feel weakness, nausea, vomiting, sore mouth, and no appetite. It would help if you tried to eat healthy, which would help in your rejuvenation. The doctor might prescribe you anti-nausea medication and recommend foods enriched with vitamins and minerals. You must avoid unpasteurized raw milk, raw or undercooked eggs/ meat, and cheese made from unpasteurized raw milk.
Supplements.
Supplements are provided to restore the nutrients and vitamins if the diet does not adequately supply them.
Exercise.
After the transplant, you must exercise daily for your heart and maintain the desired body weight. It will boost your strength and stamina. The doctors will suggest what exercises to do and what to avoid.
Avoid alcohol.
Treatments like chemotherapy and graft versus host disease weaken your liver. Hence, it is advised not to stress your liver by consuming alcohol.
Emotional support system.
A bone marrow transplant is an extensive procedure that affects your emotional strength. Therefore, it is advisable to have a dynamic support system in the form of your family or friends to help you recover fast. You can also connect or join local or online support groups. It might help you build a better understanding of the recovery process.
Preventing infection.
The minimum recovery period is 3-12 months after the transplant. During the first year of transplant, you are at extreme risk of the infection, and it is advised to take all precautions to avoid complications. Your blood count will be monitored regularly, and after that, changes may be made in your treatment regimen. To prevent infection, you can:
- Wash your hand regularly with hand sanitizer.
- Maintain distance from people who are sick or who have been recently ill.
- Wear masks in public places.
- Notify your doctor immediately, if you have any concerning signs or symptoms like a
- Fever.
- Flushed skin, sweating, or shaking.
- Coughing, sneezing, runny nose.
- Redness/swelling/pain in the throat, eyes, ears, and skin.
- Vision changes.
- Frequent urination/burning sensation while passing urine.
- Irritation in the rectum-.
- Rash/ small blisters/cold sores.
- Trouble flushing your tunneled chest catheter.
Personal hygiene.
- Shower daily, use mild soap, wash underarms and groin, use your washcloth and towel, and apply baby oil or skin moisturizer after bathing.
- Limit sun exposure as your skin might burn more quickly after the transplant.
- Make sure to wear cleansed contact lenses. Do not reuse cleaning solutions. Use moisturizing drops for dry eyes.
- Buy new makeup products after your transplant.
- Avoid getting body piercing or tattoos after transplant.
Mouth care.
Use an ultra-soft toothbrush. If you wear dentures, soak them every day in denture cleaner, as they might require a refit after your transplant. It is advised not to use store-bought mouthwashes if you have dry mouth after the transplant. Your dentist might prescribe you relevant mouthwash.
Take care of the tunneled catheter.
You might need to take care of your catheter and keep it clean. Your nurse will train you to do the same at the time of discharge from the hospital. You must notify the doctor immediately if you notice
- Redness, swelling, or drainage around the area.
- Needless connector falls.
- Break or leak in the catheter.
Your home environment.
- Keep your home neat and clean.
- Do not be around any reconstruction activity.
- Don’t use humidifiers.
- Avoid dusting and vacuuming in the first three months after the transplant.
- Keep your mouth clean, and disinfect the tub and toilet.
- Wash your utensils, linens, and towels carefully.
- Don’t touch the soil from your household plants for the first three months unless you wear gloves.
- Don’t touch the water in the vase of flowers.
- Your skin might be sensitive after the transplant, so it is advised to wear sunscreen with SPF 50, long pants, long sleeves, and a hat to avoid direct sun exposure and GVHD.
- If you have a pet that carries the risk of infections, make sure your pet is up-to-date with all the immunizations. Have his veterinary doctor check his stool every year.
- Take regular walks outside but avoid crowded places like supermarkets, shopping malls, and movie theatres.
- You might have a low platelet count after your transplant, which might show itself in the form of skin changes like bruising or petechiae. Use an electric razor while shaving, and a soft-bristle toothbrush or an oral irrigator
- Don’t take aspirin or NSAIDs.
It is best to take these precautions at home to avoid post-treatment complications. These measures are doable and must be followed after the bone marrow transplant in India. You must follow up with the doctor regularly for monitoring.
