There is a large community of bone marrow/stem cell transplant survivors who are now living full and rich lives. These people had to face many of the same tough decisions that you are facing. The following section describes their experiences, their difficulties, recommendations and insights.

Since each person’s way of coping with the transplant varies dramatically, I have tried to provide an inclusive and comprehensive picture so that different people can find recommendations that speak to their temperament and personality. As you read this, it may be useful to keep in mind that some of the suggestions may be inappropriate for you. Adopt those that seem appropriate and ignore the others. In the end, there is no “right way” to go through a transplant. Each person must find what is most appropriate for him or her.

As the primary writer, I have undergone two transplants from an unrelated donor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In addition to recounting some of my own personal experiences, I have included the experiences of 25 former transplant patients, each of whom took the time to answer an extensive questionnaire. Amongst the respondents, nine had an autologous transplant, ten had a donor who was a sibling and six had an unrelated donor.

This guide begins with a brief introductory section explaining some of the nuts and bolts of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant and follows with the transplant journey as seen through the eyes of those who have traveled this path before you. I hope you will find the collective experience of other survivors helpful in guiding you through the transplant process. I wish you a successful journey.