Question 1

I am hesitant about the bone marrow transplant procedure. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

It’s normal to be anxious before a bone marrow transplant. You should jot down all the questions you have and speak to your doctor about them. The key is for you to be comfortable with the procedure before it begins. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor all the questions you have. If you think that stress is negatively impacting you and becoming unmanageable, then it is a good idea to speak to a counsellor. Speaking to your family about the procedure and preparing them is a good idea so they are aware of what to expect. Support groups are available to help you navigate through the stress and apprehensions of the procedure. These support groups can also help you conduct adequate research online about the best hospital for bone marrow transplants in India, where you can receive the best medical care. This will go a long way in alleviating your concern.

Question 2

Is it possible to not be eligible for a bone marrow transplant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some people might not be eligible for a bone marrow transplant because they are not healthy enough to receive a transplant. The procedure is quite taxing on your body and hence general health should be maintained before attempting it. This is why doctors spend a good amount of time to ensure you are physically ready for a bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant is a serious medical procedure, and the doctors perform it only once they are sure that your body can handle it.

Question 3

How long will it take for me to resume my normal activities after the transplant procedure?

Accepted Answer

After the bone marrow transplant, you will be closely monitored by the doctors as they will be on the lookout for an increase in blood cell count and any discomfort you might experience. The complete recovery might take a year, but it depends on a lot of factors. These include your age, health, radiation, chemotherapy, the condition for which you are being treated, and the donor match if you had an allogeneic transplant. If the transplant is deemed successful (Stem cells are being produced), then you can resume your normal daily activities.

Question 4

What is the bone marrow transplantation cost in India?

Accepted Answer

The bone marrow transplant cost depends on many factors such as the type of transplant and the location of where you are getting the transplant. This is why after the appropriate tests are done, your doctor can give you an estimate of the bone marrow transplantation cost. Rest assured that the cost of bone marrow transplants in India is lower than in other countries. The bone marrow transplant cost in India can vary from hospital to hospital, which is why you must research online and get a quote from multiple hospitals before choosing to proceed. However, make sure that the quality of healthcare you receive is not compromised when looking for affordability.

Question 5

Which is a safer alternative; allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplant?

Accepted Answer

Getting any type of bone marrow transplant is risky. However, usually using an autologous bone marrow transplant is more advantageous because you are using your own body's stem cells instead of the ones from a donor. The big risk with an allogeneic bone marrow transplant is incompatibility issues. Finding a perfect match can be tough and there is a higher risk of having complications such as GVHD, among others. You may be required to take medication so that your body cells don’t end up attacking the donor stem cells. This can make you more prone to health problems.

Question 6

Is it okay for me to exercise after a bone marrow transplant?

Accepted Answer

Once your bone marrow transplant has been a success, you can start to exercise. However, it is a good idea to start slow, and increase the intensity of the exercise as you get better. Your doctor will help you create an exercise plan that is tailored to your needs and requirements.

Question 7

How long am I supposed to stay at the hospital after the transplant procedure?

Accepted Answer

This depends entirely on what you are being treated for and the location of the bone marrow transplant. Sometimes, people don’t need to stay in the hospital overnight after the procedure, but others do. It depends on the individual situation. Sometimes due to high doses of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, you might need to stay in the hospital for a much longer time. Your doctor will inform you about the length of your stay so that you can plan accordingly.

Question 8

What are the different types of bone marrow transplants?

Accepted Answer

There are generally three types of bone marrow transplants:

Autologous bone marrow transplant - In this case, stem cells are removed before the chemotherapy or radiation treatment and kept in a freezer. After the treatment is over, they are transferred back as normal cells. This procedure is also known as a rescue transplant.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplant - In this case, the stem cells are removed from another person or a donor. It’s important for the cells to partly match for the process to work. A special test is done to confirm the match. Mostly family members like a brother or sister are chosen as donors. Unrelated donors can be found through bone marrow registries.
Umbilical cord blood transplant - This is a type of allogeneic bone marrow transplant where the stem cells are removed from a baby’s umbilical cord right after birth and stored in a freezer for future transplant. Since the blood cells are immature, a perfect matching is not required. A smaller number of stem cells means that the blood count may take longer to recover.

Question 9

How do I know which type of bone marrow transplant is right for me?

Accepted Answer

It’s best to discuss with your transplant physician as to which treatment option will best suit your specific diagnosis. In case you have any doubts about which transplant type your physician has recommended, you can contact your transplant coordinator. The coordinator can help in determining the type of transplant you’ll receive and can even schedule an appointment with your designated physician to review your treatment options.

Question 10

Do I need to carry anything to the hospital for my bone marrow transplant procedure?

Accepted Answer

You will be shifted to a separate cabin for your bone marrow transplant procedure. Some of the things you can carry to the hospital are:

Comfortable, clean and loose-fitting clothing
Loose slippers
Razor, toothbrush and other toiletries
Books, journals or magazines
Personal items such as blankets
Food items such as snacks and beverages

Question 11

Will my blood count matter during the bone marrow transplant procedure?

Accepted Answer

While the transplant is happening, there can be a dip in your blood cells (WBCs, RBCs, PLTs). This is why blood counts are monitored closely during the transplant. Before the transplant, your complete blood count or CBC is monitored for some weeks. The CBC gives information on the count of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets in your blood. The ideal WBC count should be between 4,000 and 10,000. If your WBCs fall below 1,000 then it can cause complications. The measurement values for RBCs are haemoglobin (Hgb) and haematocrit (Hct). Hgb should be somewhere between 14 and 18 and Hct should be somewhere between 37 and 52. In the case of platelets, the count should be between 150,000 and 400,000.

Question 12

What are the risks of infection from an unrelated bone marrow transplant?

Accepted Answer

It’s best to match the stem cells of the donor before a transplant is done. You are at a lower risk of getting infections from an unrelated bone marrow transplant if:

Your age is less. Studies show that young people react better to transplants than older people
You receive stem cells from someone in your family, can be a brother or sister
You don’t suffer from any other health concerns.

Question 13

What are the precautions I should take post-treatment?

Accepted Answer

One of the most important factors to be careful about after a bone marrow transplant is the risk of infection. You’re more susceptible to bacteria, viruses, and funguses during the first 6 weeks after the transplant. Your doctor may suggest antibiotics to reduce any risks of infection. You can also take steps such as washing hands with antibacterial soap or alcohol-based sanitiser, staying away from people who are sick, and wearing a mask and gloves in public. You should visit your doctor immediately in case you have the following symptoms:

Higher temperature than 100.4 degrees F
Flushed face and sweating
Unusual pain or swelling in the body
Blurred vision

Question 14

Is it possible to lead a normal life after a bone marrow transplant?

Accepted Answer

One of the things you must keep in mind is that after a transplant, it takes a lot of time to recover. The transplant can take some weeks or months to be completed. After that, you’re free to go home. It’s best to have a medical plan in mind so that you can take care of yourself better. You can also check with friends and family for help. During the first few months, you’ll feel weak and more tired than usual. There can be a sharp change in your hunger and how you smell and taste food. Since all of your cells are growing, it may take some time for you to get back to your normal activities.

Adult Bone Marrow Transplants