Hospital Tips & Suggestions for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

For those who are going through a stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant, below is a list of tips for long hospital stays and related to help you through long hospital stays:

SCT/Hospital Tips and Suggestions:

• Bring a list of drugs you take - for your own records and for the hospital files
• Bring a list of medicines you are allergic to (very important)
  
• Keep a list of family and friend's phone numbers
• Consider a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will (check legalzoom.com)
• Apply for Social Security Benefits prior to your SCT. If rejected, appeal or contact an attorney
• Bring a notepad and pen to write notes and names of doctors, nurses, PCAs, etc.
• Buy a calling card (most hospitals only allow you to dial within their area code)
• Check with your hospital if cell phones are allowed
  
• Bring a laptop -- it's a great to keep in touch and/or watch movies
  
• Bring light reading material like magazines to help pass the time
• Bring movies - subscribe to Netflix (this proved very helpful in helping pass the time)
  
• Bring your iPod or a CD player - music is therapy to the soul
• Bring games or cards - to help pass the time
• Bring hobby/craft stuff - to help pass the time
• Bring reminders of home - to keep you going strong (pictures, bible, etc.)
• Bring a fluffy pillow and a soft blanket
  
• Definitely bring your own PJs, robe, socks, slippers & sneakers (you may be asked to walk after your SCT)
  
• Pack cotton low v-neck shirts (for easy port or Hickman access)
• Pack warm sweats (it gets cold)
  
• Pack sleeping caps or comfortable knit caps & hats
  
• Bring plastic bags to store your laundry so your caregiver can take it home to wash
  
• Bring anti-bacterial wipes (to clean phones, counters, door knobs, etc.)
• Bring sugar free candy to lessen the taste of the heparin shots
  
• Go ahead, have your room decorated (it makes for a supportive environment)
• Try to keep visitors to a minimum and only essential visitors. Keep anyone with a cold away from you during your stem cell transplant to prevent infections and such
• WALK (exercising is very important to the health of your lungs after your stem cell transplant).
• Keep your medical team informed when you need pain relievers or when you have any side effects even if you think it's minor. Any side effect during an SCT needs to be mentioned to your medical team so that they can help you. Be a teamplayer!
  
• ALWAYS seek the advice of medical experts and have your caregiver take notes
• Allow yourself to get some rest. This is a tough journey and sleep helps
  
• When in doubt, GET A SECOND MEDICAL OPINION.

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http://www.thehodgeshop.com/

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Practical Tips For People With Cancer & Their Loved Ones

We recommend CancerCare Fact Sheets for quick tips and easy reference on a wide range of cancer topics and tips for people with cancer and their loved ones. Visit: http://www.cancercare.org/about_us/fact_sheets.php

TOPICS INCUDE

• When You're Diagnosed
• Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
• Managing Side Effects
• Cancer Types
• CancerCare for Kids®
• Clinical Trials
• Prevention and Early Detection
• Coping With Grief and Bereavement
• Publicaciones en español
• Publications in Russian

http://www.cancercare.org/about_us/fact_sheets.php

I Wear Violet T-Shirts For Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness to Show Your Support!

Wear your support for Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness with our "I Wear Violet Ribbon" t-shirts and apparel in honor of someone you know fighting and surviving Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Perfect to wear at support group meetings, cancer awareness events or anywhere you want to emphasize Hodgkin's Lymphoma (aka Hodgkin's Disease) awareness and support. Proceeds to benefit lymphoma research. Click on each design below to view t-shirts or visit our store directly by clicking here.

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*Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a rare cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. Symptoms include the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, or other immune tissue. Other symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats.

Stem Cell Transplant / Bone Marrow Transplant Helpful Guides

Our family found these stem cell transplant guides very helpful when our sister underwent a successful syngeneic stem cell transplant for Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006. We would like to recommend these guides to those about to go through either a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant. The purpose of the guide is to prepare patients, caregivers and families for a transplant by aligning their expectations with actual transplant experiences. Click on links below to view brought to you by The Bone Marrow Transplant Link Website:

Survivor's Guide for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant
This booklet offers useful suggestions for getting through the difficult days from people who have been there. More importantly, it lets you know that you are not alone, that it is worth the struggle, and that your role is critically important and appreciated.

Caregiver's Guide for SCT/BMT
A spotlight now shines on the significant role of the BMT caregiver. This book offers practical suggestions for getting through the difficult days from people who have been there. More importantly, it lets you know that you are not alone, that it is worth the struggle and that your role is critically important and appreciated.










Resource Guide for Stem Cell Transplants - Friends Helping Friends"
This easy-to-read reference booklet offers a wide range of topics, providing an overview of the transplant process. Highlighted are financial and insurance concerns, physical and practical issues. More than 60,000 patients, families and health professionals have benefited from this remarkable booklet.












Video: The New Normal
Life After Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant
A remarkable 45-minute film for anyone whose life has been touched by bone marrow/stem cell transplant. The New Normal is an incredible story told through the voices of transplant survivors and their caregivers. Although no film can fully prepare an individual for what they will face during a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, The New Normal provides information, inspiration and hope.

Finally from The Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research Website, A Guide to Protecting Your Health after your stem cell transplant: Recommended Tests and Procedures provides guidelines that patients and their physicians can use to schedule long-term follow-up care after a marrow, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) or cord blood transplant.

The post SCT / BMT guide includes:

Patient Booklet

• Information about side effects that may occur months or years after transplant
• Charts with recommended tests and procedures for patients' six-month, twelve-month and yearly post-transplant check-ups
• Space for patients to record important information about their own post-transplant care

To download, click on links below:

• Autologous Post-Transplant Patients' Guide (PDF) (for patients transplanted with their own marrow or blood stem cells)
• Allogeneic Post-Transplant Patients' Guide (PDF) (for patients transplanted with bone marrow or blood stem cells from a donor)

Physicians' Guidelines

• A checklist of recommended screening and preventive practices to help physicians care for their patients post transplant

To dowload, click on link below

Physicians' Guidelines for Post-Transplant Care (PDF)

Best,

Elisa

The Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness Shop
www.thehodgeshop.com

The Lymphoma Awareness Shop
www.thelymphomashop.com

20 Months of Remission From Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Getting Stronger Every Day!

A quick note to spread some good news to those battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma and to also talk about the latest from our shop. Our sister had her CT scan a couple of days ago and we are proud to say that she is now 20 months in remission from her second battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is a GREAT start for 2008!

We are happy and proud of our sister's courage, inspiration to many cancer survivors and for kicking cancer's butt! 20 months of remission and getting stronger every day is an absolute gift from God and a sign she is going to continue to do well.

Support A Cure for Hodgkin's Lymphoma w/Violet is Not My Color T-Shirts

Our newest Hodgkin's Disease Awareness Design is called: "Support a Cure for Hodgkin's Lymphoma with Violet is Not My Color t-shirt design to support lymphoma awareness and a cure. Click on image to view t-shirts and unique cancer gifts. Proceeds to benefit lymphoma research.

Support a Hodgkin's Cure T-Shirts

Support a Cure for Hodgkin's Lymphoma with Violet is Not My Color design on t-shirts, apparel & cancer gifts to wear and show your support for a cure