Video Library

A stem cell transplant can be emotionally challenging and disrupt normal life and relationships, at least for a time. Acknowledging these challenges and cultivating social and professional support can help restore emotional health. This presentation describes common emotions patients feel after transplant and some effective methods for coping with them.

Recovering from a transplant poses many challenges for a patient’s personal relationships with spouses, partners, family members, and friends. While they may wish for a return to “normal,” this may not be possible and new standards for “normal” may emerge. This presentation offers strategies for navigating these changing relationships and fostering positive outcomes.

Marijuana is used by many stem cell transplant recipients to manage a variety of side effects, but caution is advised. The potency and purity can vary, depending on the source, and marijuana can affect the effectiveness of some other medications the patient may be taking.

Difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep is common among transplant recipients. The usual solutions recommended – sleep hygiene, medication – are less effective than cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Learn what defines a good night’s sleep and how to get it.

Bone marrow, stem cell and cord blood transplant recipients have an increased risk of infection until their immune system has fully recovered, which can take many months. This presentation reviews the types of infections transplant recipients often acquire and ways to prevent and treat them.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) often occurs in the mouth and can cause mouth sores, dry mouth, tooth decay and difficulty swallowing.

It can be hard for stem transplant recipients to get sufficient calories, protein and nutrients needed after transplant to repair tissue damage and promote health. This presentation describes which types of food and beverage help recovery after transplant, and whether some popular diets are safe for transplant survivors.

Neuropathy (nerve damage) is common after high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling or pain in the arms, hands, legs and/or feet. Other types of neuropathy can cause symptoms ranging from dizziness when standing, problems with digestion and urination to loss of balance, numbness, and muscle atrophy.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease occurs in more than 50% of patients transplanted with cells from a donor. The skin is affected most frequently by GVHD. This presentation describes different types of GVHD of the skin. It also discusses the most common symptoms and promising treatments for this problem.

Some transplant recipients experience breathing difficulties months or years after transplant. Patients may not have symptoms until lung damage is significant. Frequent monitoring for lung problems and early treatment is critical to prevent the damage from getting worse.

Herbs and supplements have become popular with the public as well as cancer patients. Because they are unregulated, however, their safety and efficacy are difficult to judge. This presentation reviews the most common herbs and supplements and summarizes what is known about their benefits and risks for transplant recipients.

Graft-versus-host disease occurs when a donor’s cells attack a transplant recipient’s organs and tissues. GVHD can occur throughout the gastrointestinal system as well as in the liver. This presentation describes how GVHD can attack the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small bowels and liver.