Bone Marrow Transplant Support Services

May 6, 2024 
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Leslie Popplewell, M.D., Hematologist and Medical Director of Hematology and Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, City of Hope Atlanta

At City of Hope®, patients and their loved ones have access to leading-edge bone marrow transplant resources to help them at every step of the stem cell or bone marrow transplant process.

City of Hope Is Here to Support You After Your Transplant

City of Hope offers help with the following concerns during stem cell or bone marrow transplant recovery:

  • Symptom and side effect management
  • Emotional, spiritual and social challenges
  • Stress that may arise during diagnosis, treatment and recovery
  • Fertility and family planning and sexual health problems
  • Insights on how to navigate the health care system
  • Resource for how to live a healthier lifestyle and maintain wellness after completing active treatment
  • Tips to help people build the skills needed to become efficient care providers for their loved one
  • Strategies for facilitating communication with partners, loved ones and family members
  • Help with bringing a sense of normalcy back into the patient’s everyday routine
  • Healing arts workshops for patients to help them restore the mind and body
  • Advice for building a sense of community and support by connecting patients with survivors and other patients

Supportive care professionals at City of Hope who may help with patients’ recovery from a stem cell or bone marrow transplant procedure include:

Physical Therapists

Physical therapy may help patients regain function after a transplant. A physical therapist may help patients determine which types of activities and exercises are appropriate for them.

Dietitians

Bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients need more calories and protein in their diets to fight infection and repair tissue damage. After the procedure, patients may also experience:

  • Mouth sores and dryness
  • Changes in taste
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Fatigue

City of Hope’s Nutrition Services experts can help patients develop a meal plan to address these possible side effects and the patients’ individual nutritional needs.

Social Workers

Social workers provide emotional support and counseling to bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients and their families. A team of clinical social workers is available to assist with the emotional adjustment to the patient’s illness. Social workers may also provide referrals to community resources, transportation and support groups.

Psychologists/Psychiatrists

A bone marrow or stem cell transplant may be emotionally challenging not only for the patient, but also for family and loved ones. It’s common for everyone to feel anxious, scared or depressed. City of Hope psychologists and psychiatrists may offer medications and non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help patients and their loved ones during and after transplant.

Spiritual Counselors (Chaplains)

Spiritual Care Services has an interfaith team of highly trained chaplains who provide patient- and family-centered care. Members of the team help patients recovering from bone marrow or stem cell transplants through a wide range of spiritual services, including listening and helping them deal with pain and emotions.

Financial Issues

Transplant patients may need to stop work for at least a year to allow their immune systems to recover. Work stoppage may cause financial hardships for some patients.

Supportive care professionals who may help with financial issues include those listed below.

Social Workers

City of Hope’s social workers may assist families with applications for disability benefits and provide referrals to community resources that may help with their care during and after a transplant.

Hospital Financial Counselors

Every patient at City of Hope is assigned a financial counselor to assist with the financial aspects of their care. Counselors help patients navigate their insurance and eligibility for benefits and provide general advice.

When Should Patients Call 911 Instead of Their Care Team?

Patients should call 911 immediately if they’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as:

  • Severe chest pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Symptoms of shock (including a rapid pulse, confusion, rapid breathing or skin that’s cold, clammy and pale)
  • Poisoning
  • Serious burns or injuries

Patients who need to go to an emergency department should let the staff there know that they’re a City of Hope patient.

References
References
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (2022, August). What are the side effects of an autologous bone marrow transplant? 
    https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/bone-marrowstem-cell-transplantation/side-effects-bone-marrow-transplant-stem-cell-transplant

  • Mohammed J, Smith SR, Burns L, et al. (2019). Role of physical therapy before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: White paper report. Biology Blood Marrow Transplant, 25(6), e191-e198. 
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30658224/

  • Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (2023, August). Nutrition after transplant. 
    https://www.bmtinfonet.org/transplant-article/nutrition-after-transplant

  • Association of Community Cancer Centers (2017, June). BMT Clinical Social Worker Role Description. 
    https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia/bmt-clinical-social-worker-role-description_2017-(4).pdf?sfvrsn=e4305a2f_2

  • Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (2022, August). Emotional Challenges. 
    https://www.bmtinfonet.org/transplant-article/emotional-challenges

  • Amonoo HL, Massey CN, Freedman ME, et al. (2019). Psychological Considerations in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Psychosomatics, 60(4), 331-342. 
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6626677/

  • NMDP. Returning to Work. 
    https://bethematch.org/patients-and-families/life-after-transplant/coping-with-life-after-transplant/returning-to-work/