Always follow the advice of your care team.
Preparing for Inpatient Transplant
For your transplant, you will be admitted either to Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) or Dana-Farber’s Inpatient Hospital (located within BWH). You will stay on a specialized oncology unit (called a ”pod”), which is specially equipped and staffed to meet your needs. The specialized environments will help protect you from infection while your immune system starts to recover. For your added protection:
Every situation is unique and the length of your inpatient stay will be determined by how you are feeling and your blood counts. Your care team will keep you updated as the discharge date approaches so that you can make arrangements for cleaning at home and arrange for a ride on the morning of discharge.
Resource: Planning Checklist for Your Hospitalization for Stem Cell Transplant (PDF)
How to Pack for the Hospital
Clothing and Personal Items
What to Bring to the Hospital and What to Leave at Home
Although you will have limited space in your room, there are a number of things that you can bring to make your stay more comfortable, including:
For your protection, any items brought to you during your stay will be wiped with cleaning wipes before they are brought into your room. If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, ask your care team.
You should NOT bring the following:
Hair Care
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation. While this side effect is usually temporary, your hair may begin to fall out at some point after your chemotherapy treatment. To prepare for this, many patients cut their hair short prior to admission. You may wear washable turbans or caps. Wigs are not recommended because they are difficult to keep clean and uncomfortable while in the hospital.
Communicating from the Hospital
We understand the need to keep loved ones connected during a lengthy hospital stay. From the hospital, you can communicate with family and friends in the following ways:
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers for more information.
- Everyone who goes into your room must first wash their hands and put on gloves and a mask.
- You will need to wear gloves and a mask when you leave your hospital room.
- Though you will not be allowed to leave the unit, you are able to walk outside your room within the doors of your unit.
Every situation is unique and the length of your inpatient stay will be determined by how you are feeling and your blood counts. Your care team will keep you updated as the discharge date approaches so that you can make arrangements for cleaning at home and arrange for a ride on the morning of discharge.
Resource: Planning Checklist for Your Hospitalization for Stem Cell Transplant (PDF)
How to Pack for the Hospital
Clothing and Personal Items
- Hospital gowns, pants, socks, towels, bed linens and toiletries are provided.
- You may bring your own clothing to wear (pajamas, sweats, etc.).
- To decrease your risk of infection, your clothes must be freshly washed, dried, and put in a clean, washable tote bag or hard suitcase that can be wiped out with a cleaning wipe.
- Clothes that touch your skin must be changed every day.
- Bring enough items so you can send clothing home for washing.
- The hospital does not provide laundry service for your personal clothing. Your family may bring your clothes home to be laundered, following the directions above.
- The following self-care items will be provided for you: soap, lotion/cream, toothpaste, shampoo.
What to Bring to the Hospital and What to Leave at Home
Although you will have limited space in your room, there are a number of things that you can bring to make your stay more comfortable, including:
- Light reading materials (books, magazines, newspapers)
- Images/items that help remind you of your goal of getting well
- Printed photos
- Music player or radio, musical instruments
- Headphones or headset
- Laptop or notebook computer, e-reader, tablet, and chargers (wireless Internet access is available)
- Cell phone, pre-paid phone card, or calling card (for long-distance calls)
- DVDs (every room has a TV and DVD player)
- Sound machine
For your protection, any items brought to you during your stay will be wiped with cleaning wipes before they are brought into your room. If you are not sure whether an item is allowed, ask your care team.
You should NOT bring the following:
- Medications (unless approved by your care team)
- Money or other valuables
- Live plants or flower arrangements
- Homemade food items (prepackaged food items are OK)
- Toothbrushes or toothpaste
- Perfumes and scented soaps or lotions
- Cosmetics
- Razors or razor blades (electric razors are permitted)
- Nail clippers (emery boards are permitted)
- Edible or vaping products (nicotine or marijuana)
Hair Care
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation. While this side effect is usually temporary, your hair may begin to fall out at some point after your chemotherapy treatment. To prepare for this, many patients cut their hair short prior to admission. You may wear washable turbans or caps. Wigs are not recommended because they are difficult to keep clean and uncomfortable while in the hospital.
Communicating from the Hospital
We understand the need to keep loved ones connected during a lengthy hospital stay. From the hospital, you can communicate with family and friends in the following ways:
- Computer/internet access: All patient rooms have wireless internet so you can use your smartphone or tablet. Family members and friends can also use computer workstations in the resource rooms at Dana-Farber and BWH.
- Hospital room phone: All local calls are free. Long-distance calls can be charged to your calling card or a prepaid phone card. Cell phones are permitted in the transplant unit rooms.
- CaringBridge website: CaringBridge is a free, secure website you can use to set up a personal web page to keep family and friends connected when you are receiving care. You can post updates and photographs, or list tasks you may need help with (which can be a helpful way to let your friends and loved ones know how they can help after transplant). Visitors to your page can read updates posted by you or someone you designate and write messages of encouragement. Learn more at www.caringbridge.org.
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers for more information.