Things To Consider When Choosing Bone Marrow Transplant

For some patients, bone marrow transplants become necessary because of several reasons. It could be because of some severe blood disorders including certain types of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Further, many people have to go in for high-dose chemotherapy. These high dosages may be quite effective in getting rid of dangerous cancer cells. However, they also wipe out healthy cells and in many cases, the entire bone marrow is wiped out and destroyed. In such situations, the only option is to go in for a bone marrow transplant. When a person needs high dosage chemotherapy, often doctors go in for bone marrow transplant to replace the destroyed bone marrow with new ones. This will help the patients to ensure that after the therapy, the body gets high quality and fresh bone marrow. The same can be used for the production of high-quality blood stem cells from the blood cancer bone marrow transplant. This will help in augmenting the supply of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Be Aware Of The Side Effects

While the importance and criticality of bone marrow transplant cannot be ignored and underscored, we also must be aware of the possible side effects. Most people have mild side effects after a leukemia marrow transplant. In some cases, however, there are serious side effects possible. These include serious issues where the new cells are attacked by the immune system of the body, leading to the destruction of the bone marrow. There also is the risk of graft versus host disease apart from infertility and infections. Many patients also run the risk of new types of cancers. Organ damage and early menopause are also possible side effects of a bone marrow transplant. Others suffer from side effects that are caused by the indirect impact of the use of bone marrow cells. Preservatives are used and these could lead to nausea, headaches, shortness of breath or it could leave a bad and pungent taste in the mouth.

The Importance of Caregiving

The people who are candidates for bone marrow transplants should also be aware of the entire procedure starting from preparation to recovery. This process can be long and tedious. It would most certainly call for taking time off from work, family caring would be required apart from having to plan the various regular activities that you might have done when you are normal. You must bear in mind that your immune system would be weak and compromised and you would be at a higher risk of infections and other such problems.

Never be Too Far Away from Hospital

You may have to stay not too far away from the hospital for around 3 months. This is because your doctor may need to keep you under close watch and observation for any infections and other such issues. Traveling long distances is a problem and in many cases treatment may be required immediately without too much delay.

Insurance and Costs

Bone marrow transplant without an iota of doubt is a complicated and long process, especially for cancer patients. Hence, you must be aware of the financial consequences. You also should be sure that your insurance policy covers bone marrow transplants in your specific hospital. There are many parts to bone marrow transplant and be aware of the parts that are covered and the ones that are perhaps left out.

Contact US:

Gift of Life Marrow Registry
Address:  800 Yamato Rd suite 101  Boca Raton, FL
Phone: (800) 962-7769