First Visit: Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant

Preparing for Your First Visit: Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplantation

Our interdisciplinary team of doctors is dedicated to research and improvement of the transplant process, thereby improving patient outcomes and survival rates. If you are in need of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, Loyola is able to provide the expertise and guidance you need, beginning with your very first visit.

If your evaluation at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center indicates that stem cell transplantation is an appropriate therapy for you, Loyola is committed to ensuring that you have the information you need throughout the transplant process. While every patient’s transplant differs depending on the diagnosis, the first visit for all patients has many similarities.

What to Bring

On the day of your first appointment, please arrive at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center about 45 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to register and complete the necessary paperwork. To help with your first appointment, we recommend the following visit checklist:

• Complete medical records* (including current blood work)
• Insurance card
• Pathology slides
• Scans
• X-rays

*In order to make the best treatment recommendation for you, it is critical that we have your medical records. Please obtain your records directly from your doctor or hospital and bring them with you on the day of your appointment.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

At the start of your visit, your Loyola doctor will review your personal medical records and health history and will perform a physical exam. Next, we will discuss your treatment options and determine whether a stem cell transplant procedure is the right cancer treatment option for you.

Your first visit will generally last two to three hours, and you will meet several members of our team. The healthcare providers caring for you throughout your treatment may include:

• An attending physician, with a specialty in hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation
• An advanced practice nurse
• A bone marrow transplant coordinator, who is a nurse specializing in transplantation
• A clinical psychologist
• A social worker
• Bone marrow transplant unit nurses
• High-dose therapy unit nurses

Our team members work together and consult frequently to ensure that you receive the best possible care. It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed by all the information you receive on the first visit, and we understand that you will have many questions about your treatment.

We encourage you to ask questions and get the information you require. If there are questions that we can answer once you leave the clinic, your transplant coordinator is always available by phone.