Discharge Instructions for Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant

Bone marrow transplant is a procedure used to treat many diseases such as:

• Blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma

• Solid tumors such as testicular cancer

• Blood diseases such as aplastic anemia

• Immune and genetic diseases

After bone marrow transplant, your risk of infection is greater because your immune system is weak for up to 6 months after the transplant. Protect yourself from infection by following the guidelines and precautions on this sheet.

Activity

• Increase your activity slowly.

• Begin light exercise such as walking.

• Get plenty of rest and take breaks between activities.

• Check with your healthcare provider before driving a car.

• Don’t swim until the central venous catheters have been removed.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work or school.

• Avoid riding bicycles or motorcycles until your healthcare provider says it is OK. 

Skin care

• Take care of your skin:

  • Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom.

  • Wash your hands before and after caring for your central venous catheter, if you have one.

  • Use an electric razor for shaving.

• Protect your skin from the sun:

  • Use hypoallergenic sunscreen with SPF of 15 or greater.

  • Avoid direct sun exposure on your skin.

  • Cover your head with a wig, scarf, or cap when you are outside.

Limit exposure to bacteria

• Check with your healthcare provider before having intimate contact with anyone.

• Wear a mask when you walk through the hospital.

• Ask your healthcare provider before using certain cosmetics, contact lenses, tampons, and douches.

• Avoid public places such as shopping malls, especially during holidays and big sales events, until your immune system has recovered. 

• Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold, the flu, or another contagious condition (like measles, chicken pox, herpes, viruses, pinkeye, coughs, sore throats).

• Limit visits with young children. They frequently have colds or the flu.

• Follow a low-bacteria diet. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about this diet.

• Ask your healthcare provider about contact with pets or animals. Use good handwashing and cleaning methods when coming in contact with any animal.

  • Wash your hands immediately after animal contact.

  • Avoid contact with pet urine or feces.

  • Don’t clean litter boxes, cages, or aquariums.

• Keep your home clean.

  • Clean floors, carpets, furniture, and countertops regularly.

  • Be sure your bathroom is clean.

  • Wash your hands after handling trash.

Limit exposure to other substances

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.

• Don’t do yard work such as gardening, mowing the lawn, or raking leaves. Don’t handle cut flowers or potted plants until your healthcare provider says it is OK.

• Don’t work on cars or machinery.

• Wear a mask when you are near construction areas, windy places, or any area with dust or fumes.

• Avoid chemicals and fumes such as gasoline, fuel oil, paints, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

• Don’t use portable humidifiers or vaporizers.

Medicine

• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is very important that you follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully, and always take your medicines.

• Don’t take any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies unless you have discussed it with your healthcare provider first.

• Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects.

Follow-up

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.