by Susan K Stewart

Medical Editors:
Martin S. Tallman MD      
Patrick J. Stiff MD

Published by: BMT Newsletter 2900 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park, Illinois 60035 847.433.3313, toll-free: 1.888.597.7674 email: help@bmtnews.org

Publication of this book made possible in part by a grant from:

• Armour Pharmaceuticals
• Amgen
• Immunex Corporation

Special thanks to:

• Desktop Edit Shop, Skokie, Illinois, design and typesetting
• Cheryl Steiger, cover design and illustrations
• Richard Hong, MD, illustrations

Copyright (c) 1992

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the following physicians, nurses and psychiatric counselors who served as medical advisors for the first twelve issues of BMT Newsletter that form the basis of this book, and without whose help this book would not be possible:

• Tauseef Ahmed MD, New York Medical College, Valhalla NY
• Linda D. Applegarth ED.D, Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Cornell University Medical College, New York City NY
• Patrick Beatty MD PhD, University of Utah Medical School Salt Lake City UT
• Richard E. Champlin MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX
• Roberta Dillon RN MSN, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville VA
• Robert Geller MD, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
• John Graham-Pole MD MRCP, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville FL
• Richard Hong MD, University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Madison WI
• Herbert Kaizer MD, Rush Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago IL
• Anne Kessinger MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE
• Morris Kletzel MD, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago IL
• Mary Lauer RN PNP, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI
• Irving Leon PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
• George B. McDonald MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA
• Philip McGlave MD, University of Minnesota Hospital & Clinics, Minneapolis MN
• Daniel Pietryga MD, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI
• Debbie Richards RN BSN, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI
• Jean Sanders MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA
• Mark V. Sauer MD, California Reproductive Health Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA
• Richard L. Schilsky MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago IL
• Patrick J. Stiff MD, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood IL
• Aimee St. Pierre MD, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago IL
• Martin S. Tallman MD, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago IL
• Georgia Vogelsang MD, Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore MD
• Stephanie Williams MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago IL
• Jane Winter MD, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago IL

Thanks also to the following BMT patients, family members and other technical advisors whose experiences and expertise are shared in this book:

• Cindy Barkdull PhD.
• Nancy Beskin
• Lorraine Boldt
• Georgia Comfort
• Thelda DeLanghe
• Sue and Steve Freeman
• Ann Glowinski
• Connie Hannes
• Judith Kaufman
• Ruth Krueger
• Susan Mitchell
• Gail Pitman
• Jerry Schwartz
• Mary Scherer
• Pat Tabet
• Caesar Tabet
• Michelle Vandermaas
• Ellyn Weiselman
• Ted Wieseman
• Jacqueline Williams
• Janet Winkowski
• Laura Wise

And especially to Thomas Stewart and Mary Ann Chandler, who've been invaluable sources of help and encouragement in producing BMT Newsletter.

Dear Friend,

In 1988, after being diagnosed with leukemia, my doctor recommended a bone marrow transplant. I'd never before heard of a bone marrow transplant, and hadn't a clue as to what bone marrow is or why it's important.

I was confused and overwhelmed. All the medical terms used to describe a BMT were new to me, and often I was so lost I couldn't even figure out the right questions to ask! After recovering from my BMT, I met several other BMT survivors and learned my experience was not unique.

This book is written by patients for patients with the help of several doctors and nurses. It's designed to "translate" some of the medical information you'll receive before, during and after your bone marrow transplant into plain English.

There's no getting around it - bone marrow transplantation is a big, confusing subject. There's lots of information to absorb in this book. Take it at your own pace.

If you're only ready for the basics, start with Chapters 1 and 6. Then use the table of contents and index to find answers to the questions that are bothering you most.

When you're ready, read the other chapters for a more in-depth explanation of the different kinds of transplants, complications that can arise, and how other patients have coped with the experience. I know how difficult it is to make the decision to have a bone marrow transplant, undergo the treatment, and get back to a normal life. I hope this book helps make your experience a little easier.

Susan K. Stewart
Editor, BMT Newsletter

P.S. The first 12 issues of the BMT Newsletter form the basis of this book. BMT Newsletter is a free publication for BMT patients, survivors and their families. If you'd like your name added to the circulation list, call 847.433.3313, toll-free: 1.888.597.7674 or email us at email: help@bmtnews.org.

Click for "Bone Marrow Transplants" table of contents

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