Back to School
Easing Into It
Your doctor will let you know when you’ll be able to return to school. If you received your own marrow or stem cells, you may be able to go back 3 to 6 months after your transplant. Otherwise, it may be a year before you can return. Until you do, a tutor can help you at home. If classmates bring you your school work, it’ll help you stay in touch while you’re away.
When you are ready to return, you may start out only going a few hours
a day, and as you feel stronger, work your way up to full-time. Your parents should let your teachers know that you may need to have snacks or rest periods during the day, take medications, or use the bathroom more often.
Talking about your transplant can clear up any misunderstandings clasmmates may have.

Fitting In Again
Returning to school can be exciting, but you might also worry that classmates will treat you differently. It may take a little time for things to feel normal again. If you look different—have lost hair or weight, or are wearing a mask—some kids might avoid you because they don’t know how to act or what to say.
"My friends were curious, but great. They accept me, even with the illness and fat cheeks."
Age 13, 1 year after transplant

They may need you to break the ice. First, make sure you haven’t withdrawn from them out of embarrassment or fear of what they might think—classmates might mistake your nervousness as being unfriendly. Because you've likely been separated from friends for months and not shared recent experiences with them, they may feel awkward and not know what to talk about with you. These feelings of awkwardness may keep them from calling or visiting you. Other people may say things that are hurtful-whether they mean to or not-because they are nervous. It can help to explain your transplant to them, and answer questions they may be curious about.