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Bone Marrow and Blood Stem Cell
Transplants: A Guide for Patients
by Susan K.
Stewart with Jan Sugar
| Chief
Medical Advisors: |
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Patrick J. Stiff
MD
Martin S. Tallman MD |
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| Illustrator: |
Norm Bendell |
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Bone Marrow and Blood Stem Cell
Transplants: A Guide for Patients is the next generation of Susan K.
Stewart's groundbreaking 1992 book, Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of
Basics for Patients. Long awaited by patients and practicioners, this new
228-page book updates information in the original handbook and presents timely
information on new topics as well.
Bone Marrow and Blood Stem Cell
Transplants: A Guide for Patients combines solid medical advice with the
voices of people who have been through a transplant. Comprehensive and easy to
read, this new book is a "must" for patients considering a transplant using
donor bone marrow, blood stem cells or cord blood.
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"This book is an
essential part of my educational efforts with patients and their families. It
explains in an understandable, but non-patronizing, way the rationale and
procedures for bone marrow and blood stem cell transplantation. Covering a
broad range of topics, it is a real gift for people who must quickly learn a
complicated topic, as they struggle to cope with the stresses of a
life-threatening illness."
Mary M. Horowitz MD MS
Scientific
Director
International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry/
Autologous
Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry |
What you'll find in Bone Marrow and Blood
Stem Cell Transplants: A Guide for Patients:
History of
Transplantation
A historical perspective and look into the future of
the uses of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell and cord blood transplants.
Nuts and Bolts of a Transplant
A comprehensive overview of
the stem cell transplantation, including a clear explanation of the differences
between bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants and a narration
of post-transplant issues.
Choosing a Transplant Center
A
detailed description of key things to look for when choosing a transplant
center, including how to interpret "success rates".
Finding a Stem
Cell Donor
Some patients are fortunate enough to have a family member
who is a suitable stem cell donor. Others must search for an unrelated donor.
This chapter explains how the search is conducted, and explains the tests used
to determine whether a patient and donor are a match.
Being a
Donor
In the rush to help the patient who has a serious illness, the
questions and concerns of the donor are sometimes overlooked. This chapter
describes what's involved in donating bone marrow or peripheral blood stem
cells, and shares insights from other donors about emotional challenges that
donors often face.
Emotional and Psychological Considerations
Many things come into play with news of a transplant. In this chapter
you'll find help with getting information, putting things into perspective,
dealing with the sense of loss of control, coping with stress, accessing
support services, keeping in touch with friends, and getting back to normal.
When Your Child Needs a Transplant
A guide for families on
the array of issues facing them when a child needs a transplant including
involving the child in decision-making, questions children ask, anxiety, life
during transplant, loss of control, preparing children for medical procedures,
siblings' care, marital stress, going home, and getting back to normal.
Preparative Regimen
The high-dose combination chemotherapy
that comprises the preparative regimen frightens many people. This chapter
addresses the short- and long-term side effects of the preparative regimen and
puts them in perspective.
Graft-versus-Host Disease
Graft-versus-Host disease is often a complication of a stem cell
transplant. This chapter explains the differences between acute and chronic
graft-versus-host disease, and steps taken to prevent and treat them.
Infection
A detailed description of, and remedies for, the types of
infections that can occur after transplant.
Liver Complications
A clear explanation of the short- and long-term effects to the liver that
may happen as a result of treatment.
Nutrition
A detailed
description of nutritional problems that can occur after treatment, with
concrete suggestions for overcoming them.
Relieving Pain
A
thorough discussion of an array of pharmaceutical and non-drug pain relief
techniques.
Caregiving
A caregiver's role is one of the most
important yet least explored in the transplant process. This chapter has those
who have done it discuss candidly such things as taking time to recharge,
accepting help, being the patient's advocate, flexibility and patience, keeping
a sense of humor, relaying information to others, changing relationships, and
helping children cope.
Long-Term Survivors: What Lies Ahead
What's in the future for a survivor of a transplant? You'll hear from
long-term survivors about such very real issues as quality of life, fear of
relapse, physical health, fatigue, cognitive changes, sexuality,
re-vaccination, emotional wellbeing; hepatitis C, cataracts, spouses and
children, working and spirituality.
Sexuality and Reproduction
The impact of a transplant on sexuality and reproduction are issues that
are often not talked about. This chapter offers a candid discussion about
sexuality and the options available for having children after transplant.
Insurance and Fundraising
An extremely helpful chapter that
discusses financial options available to transplant patients including how to
handle a denial of insurance coverage, tapping into benefits available from
life insurance policies, viatical settlements and how to find organizations
that provide financial assistance.
Publication of this book was made
possible by a generous grant from the following organizations:
| National Marrow Donor Program |
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| Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. |
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| The Marrow Foundation |
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About the Author
Diagnosed with leukemia
in 1988, Susan K. Stewart underwent a bone marrow transplant in 1989. Sifting
through the mounds of complex medical information was an overwhelming task at a
difficult time in her life. Already the executive director of a large consumer
advocacy organization, when she recovered Stewart turned her attention toward
those who would go through her experience. In 1990 she wrote and published the
first issue of Blood & Marrow Transplant Newsletter (formerly called the
BMT Newsletter) to help make non-technical information about transplantation
accessible to the public. Two years later, with the help of more than two dozen
specialists, she wrote the now classic Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of
Basics for Patients. Her book about autologous stem cell transplants was
published in 2000. |
