After the Transplant
Recovery Phase I: In the Hospital
Approximately three to four weeks after your transplant, we will begin to see bone marrow recovery through a trend of rising white blood cell counts on daily tests. On the 28th day following your transplant, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy will be done to evaluate the quality and quantity of engraftment.
As your white blood cell counts return to normal, antibiotics and other medications are discontinued. Patients who have been on intravenous nutrition will begin to eat again. It is important to know that certain foods may not taste the same to you as you remember them. Our BMT dietitian will work with you to choose foods and special diets that may be necessary for certain complications such as graft-vs-host disease.
Patients who have been ill and in bed for long periods of time may lose much of their muscle tone and strength while in the hospital. A physical therapist is available to work with patients throughout the hospital stay to maintain muscle tone and to regain the strength that has been lost.
Part of recovery also means regaining a sense of your independence. As a patient who is ill, it is easy to become dependent on family members and nursing staff to perform tasks. As you recover it is important for you to learn to care for yourself, and to regain the self-assurance you need to take care of yourself at home.
You will be encouraged to socialize outside of your room with your family and friends as well as with other patients and families on the unit. A patient and family lounge is available at all times for visiting and meals. You may also be encouraged to take short trips outside of the hospital.
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