Post a bone marrow transplant, the patient may remain in the hospital for several weeks. This is mainly because the patient will be highly susceptible to infections and thus needs to be kept in a sterile environment. Blood transfusions might also be required depending on the patient’s condition. Signs of dizziness and weakness will mostly be witnessed in the patient and need to be closely monitored by the medical staff. The patient’s weight too needs to be checked often.
[Read: How to Prepare for Bone Marrow Transplant?]
The patient may also have to undergo tests of bone marrow to see how well the new blood cells are growing, which is called a biopsy. For this test, a small sample of the bone marrow is taken through a needle and is examined under a microscope. There will be several other tests to check whether any cancer remains.
Frequent visits to the doctor will be required after discharge to determine effectiveness of treatment, detect complications, detect recurrent disease, and to manage the late effects associated with a bone marrow transplant. The frequency and duration of visits will be determined by your doctor.
[Read: How is Bone Marrow Transplant done?]
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- Diarrhoea that does not go away or is bloody
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Inability to eat or drink
- Extreme weakness
- Redness, swelling, or draining from any place where you have an IV line inserted into your body
- Pain in your stomach area
- Fever, chills, or sweats. These may be signs of infection.
- A new skin rash or blisters
- Jaundice (the white part of eyes or skin looks yellow)
- A very bad headache or a headache that does not go away
- A cough that is getting worse
- Trouble breathing when you are at rest or when you are doing simple tasks
- Burning when you urinate
[Read: What is Bone Marrow Transplant?]
The patient, who is undergoing a bone marrow transplant, needs to be healthy physically as well as emotionally. It has been observed that bone marrow transplant patient often experiences bouts of emotional distress and if not dealt with correctly can be detrimental in terms of physical health.
Read more articles on Bone Marrow Transplant.
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