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| Focus
on the Future For many transplant patients, it takes a year or more to recover both physically and emotionally following their transplant. Even after a year is up, your life may not completely return to the way it was before. Here are some issues you may be dealing with. |
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| Late
Effects Some complications don’t develop until months or even years after a transplant. Inability to fight infections: It can take a year or two for your marrow’s infection-fighting system to fully recover. Some patients continue to experience serious infections until then.  Chronic
GVHD: GVHD that appears after Day 100 is called “chronic.”
You can develop chronic even if you never had “acute.” (Remember,
if you received your own cells, GVHD won’t occur.) Symptoms of chronic
are: skin that thickens or darkens; stiff joints; muscle shrinkage; jaundice;
dry, burning eyes; and mouth sores. To treat chronic GVHD, you need to return
to infection-prevention routines and go back on drugs to keep your new marrow
from attacking your body organs. Growth problems: Many kids who had radiation therapy experience some delay in growth. You may be given growth hormones, which can sometimes help you catch up. Dental problems: If you didn’t have your adult teeth before your transplant, their development may be delayed due to radiation therapy. Tooth decay and gum disease are also common, so see a dentist regularly and don’t forget good oral hygiene! |
Cataracts: Cataracts are cloudy spots on the eyes that blur vision. They can result from radiation therapy and develop 3 to 6 years after a BMT. If you notice a change in the way you see, tell a parent. Cataracts can be removed to restore your eyesight. Relapse: The return of your original disease is called “relapse.” It’s common for patients to worry that they’re having a relapse whenever they feel a little sick. As time passes, though, you’ll worry less. With each year you remain healthy, your chances of being cured for good are better and better. A+ Attitude Lasting problems can be frustrating. If you are experiencing one or more of these late effects, try to focus on what you can control, such as mouth care, nutrition, and exercise, and leave other worries to your doctors. There may also be days you feel so good you’re tempted to skip your check-up. Remember: it’s important to go! If complications are starting to form, doctors need to treat them while they’re small to keep them from getting worse |