Certainly! Here is some detailed information on what your wife may encounter during a stem cell transplant for leukemia:
Preparation
- Eligibility Tests: Several tests will be conducted to ensure she is eligible for the transplant
- Strength: She needs to be as strong as possible before starting the process.
- Donor Show Full Answer
Certainly! Here is some detailed information on what your wife may encounter during a stem cell transplant for leukemia:
Preparation
- Eligibility Tests: Several tests will be conducted to ensure she is eligible for the transplant.
- Strength: She needs to be as strong as possible before starting the process.
- Donor Matching: If undergoing an allogeneic (ALLO) transplant, a donor will need to be identified and matched.
Conditioning Treatment
- High-Dose Chemotherapy/Radiation: This is done to destroy any lingering leukemia cells and prepare the body for the new stem cells.
Stem Cell Infusion
- Procedure: The donor cells (or her own cells in an autologous (AUTO) transplant) will be intravenously infused into her body. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and is painless.
Recovery
- Hospital Stay: A hospital stay of at least a few weeks is necessary.
- First 100 Days: The first 100 days post-transplant are crucial for recovery and engraftment, where the new stem cells settle into the bone marrow and start producing new blood cells.
- Medications: She may receive antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal medications to protect against infections. Transfusions of red blood cells or platelets may also be required.
General Recommendations
- Lifestyle: Stopping smoking, exercising, and getting more sleep are recommended to take care of herself.
For more detailed information, you can visit the resources provided by MyLeukemiaTeam and other related articles.
I hope this helps!
October 18, 2024