Planning for a Transplant

When a bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT) is a treatment option, it is helpful to educate yourself and your family about what to expect.

On this page:
Consider the Transplant Center
Plan for Transplant Costs
Prepare for Changes in Daily Life
Prepare for Recovery
Help Your Child or Teenager Through His or Her Transplant

Consider the Transplant Center

You may want to have a discussion with your doctor about transplant centers that meet your specific needs. Some topics to consider are the transplant center's experience and statistics on transplant outcomes. Also, because you will be spending a lot of time with your transplant team, you may want to visit the facility and meet the transplant team. You should also check which transplant centers are covered by your insurance.

To learn about the types of experience to look for and the meaning of statistics, see Things to Consider When Choosing a Transplant Center (not a U.S. Government Web site).

To view a listing of national transplant centers, see U.S Transplant Centers (not a U.S. Government Web site). From this list you can choose a transplant center and find its contact information as well as information specific to that center: diseases treated, costs before transplant, transplant experience and survival data.

Plan for Transplant Costs

It is helpful to understand the costs of a transplant and the expenses covered by insurance. Some costs not covered by insurance may include office visits, travel and housing costs if the transplant takes place far from home and co-pays for medication.

If you have no insurance, you may be eligible for state or county programs or other forms of financial help.

For information about transplant expenses, insurance coverage, and resources to help you find answers to financial questions, see Planning for Transplant Costs (not a U.S. Government Web site).

If friends or family want to raise money for costs not covered by insurance, see Fund Raising for a Friend or Family Member (not a U.S. Government Web site).

Prepare for Changes in Daily Life

Many patients find that adjusting household duties and organizing information for others to handle during the transplant and recovery helps everyone. You are more at ease knowing that all duties and schedules are taken care of. Family and friends know ahead of time how to help you best. Also, talking with other transplant survivors may give you emotional support.

To learn specific ideas that have helped other patients plan for transplant, and to find other transplant patients and survivors, see Preparing for Transplant (not a U.S. Government Web site).

Prepare for Recovery

Many transplant survivors say they feel better after one year. Some people feel better sooner, for others it takes more time.

During the first several months after a transplant, your immune system will be weak and unable to fight infections easily. During this time it helps to focus on eating well, avoiding infections, and staying healthy. By one year after transplant, many transplant survivors are able to return to work or school.

During recovery, most transplant survivors have some effects from their transplant. Some of these effects or complications last for several months and are easy to manage. Other effects are long-term and can be serious or painful. You cannot always control whether you will have these long-term effects, but you and your doctor can take steps to treat and cope with them.

To learn how to stay healthy during recovery and manage the effects of a transplant, see Planning for Life after Transplant (not a U.S. Government Web site).

To find out about tests and medications you may need after transplant, see A Guide to Protecting Your Health After Transplant (PDF) (not a U.S. Government Web site).

Help Your Child or Teenager Through His or Her Transplant

A transplant is a long and intense process that will affect the entire family. Learning what to expect can help you, your child and your family cope with the challenges ahead.

In general, children tolerate the transplant process better than adults. You can help your child by talking about what to expect at transplant and during recovery with a sense of hope. By encouraging your child to express emotions and ask questions, you help your child take an active role in his or her recovery.

If your teenager will be treated with a transplant, be aware that your teen will give up a great deal of privacy and independence. You will need to work with your health care team so that your teen can participate as possible in his or her treatment plan and day-to-day life.

Giving your child or teen information geared to his or her developmental age, along with a sense of hope, will help your child cope with treatment.

For more information about how to talk with your child or teenager who needs a transplant, see Preparing for Your Child’s Transplant (not a U.S. Government Web site).