A Wide Range of ‘Normal’

Many patients describe the first weeks after a transplant as a rollercoaster. Some days you feel that things are looking up, then, the next day, you experience a sharp downturn. There is no straight line from beginning to end.

It is important to remember is that setbacks are part of the process. There is a wide range of what can be considered normal events after a transplant. Your medical team is prepared for these events, and you should be too.

The length and nature of this recovery period is different for each patient. Avoid the temptation to set unrealistic goals or compare your recovery to another patient’s progress. And remember, neither the length of your recovery nor the challenges you face in recovery are indicators of whether you have been cured or the length your life has been extended.

During the first year after your transplant, even with the physical and emotional challenges, the new stem cells are establishing themselves in your body. They are allowing your body to begin building new healthy cells that are replacing the diseased cells that have been destroyed. It can be frustrating and difficult, but this takes time.

The process of recovery is happening. Slowly, you are getting stronger.