Always follow the advice of your care team.
Recovery After Autologous Transplant
Starting your recovery from an autologous stem cell transplant marks an important achievement. As you transition to the after-transplant phase, you will face new challenges. Your care team will monitor your progress and treat any complications that may arise.
Follow Up Appointments
After your transplant, you will have scheduled follow-up visits at Dana-Farber or your local oncologist (usually weekly, for the first month). If you have immediate follow up at your local oncologist, you can usually expect to have an appointment scheduled at Dana-Farber around the one-month mark. As time passes, your follow-up visits will be less frequent. Your primary caregiver should be available to participate in these appointments.
During these visits, you will:
Reminders for Your Clinic Visits:
When to Call Your Care Team
Contact your care team whenever you have questions. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed below, call/page your care team right away.
Page your physician (617-632-3352) if you experience:
Contact your care team right away if you notice the following signs or symptoms:
When in doubt, always call your care team.
In an emergency, page any member of your care team by calling the Dana-Farber page operator at 617-632-3352.
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers - for more information.
Follow Up Appointments
After your transplant, you will have scheduled follow-up visits at Dana-Farber or your local oncologist (usually weekly, for the first month). If you have immediate follow up at your local oncologist, you can usually expect to have an appointment scheduled at Dana-Farber around the one-month mark. As time passes, your follow-up visits will be less frequent. Your primary caregiver should be available to participate in these appointments.
During these visits, you will:
- Have a physical exam
- Have blood draws/labs to check your blood counts. Based on your counts and how you feel, you may get infusions of fluid, blood, or supportive medications for nausea or pain
- Meet with your care team to discuss any questions or concerns you may have
- You can also schedule an appointment to meet with your clinical social worker or a nutritionist
Reminders for Your Clinic Visits:
- Wear a mask and gloves
- Bring requests for medication refills
When to Call Your Care Team
Contact your care team whenever you have questions. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed below, call/page your care team right away.
Page your physician (617-632-3352) if you experience:
- Temperature greater than 100.4°F
- Shortness of breath, chest pain
- Any problems with your Hickman catheter (pain, redness, swelling, difficulty flushing)
- Light-headedness or fainting
- Confusion
Contact your care team right away if you notice the following signs or symptoms:
- Bleeding from the gums, nose, rectum, or bladder, or increased bruising
- Symptoms of cough, nasal congestion, flu/cold-like symptoms
- Any change in level of nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, or the inability to eat, drink or take pills
- You are unable to take your medications for any reason, including if your pharmacy is unable to dispense your medication
- Any skin rashes or redness (check every day when you bathe)
- Any mouth sores or rectal tenderness
- Any genital sores, vaginal bleeding, discharge, or odor
- Any burning, pain, blood in urine, or change in frequency of urination
- Dizziness or headaches
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Any new pain
When in doubt, always call your care team.
In an emergency, page any member of your care team by calling the Dana-Farber page operator at 617-632-3352.
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers - for more information.