Seeing that so many of you have reached to me about my post ‘Preparing to go home after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant part 1’, I figured I needed to share more tips as there are many things to consider and prepare. In retrospect, I really should have titled these posts ‘Preparing your home after a stem cell bone marrow transplant’. If you have any questions about preparing your home for the post stem cell or bone marrow patient, please reach out to me.
1. Water Filtration System: Your doctors will tell you that they do not want you drinking unfiltered tap water. Stock up on gallons of filtered water, install at water system, or both.
2. Thermometers: The hospital may send you home with a thermometer, but I suggest you purchase a few to keep on each floor of the house and next to the bed or couch. You will be asked monitor the patient’s temperature numerous times a day for a few months, so you will want to have a few clean thermometers handy.
3. Hygienic necessities: I am telling you right now that you will need some super soft, unscented wipes. Going through the strong chemotherapy, and the recovery process itself, causes GI distress. The entire process really inflects quite a bit of trauma to the gastrointestinal tract, and all internal tissue lining really, so having some soft wipes for the patient offers some comfort to their bottom area. You may also wish to have some adult diapers at home. This is embarrassing to share, but I was so weak that there were a few times that I did not make it to the restroom in time, so have a few adult diapers in each bathroom.
4. Non-toxic Lotions: As I mentioned in the first post, the patient will have dry skin, and by dry, I mean as dry as the dessert. Even if the patient’s skin isn’t dry, the patient needs to shower each day and the doctor will want you to use a gentle, unscented, non-toxic body lotion. It took me an entire year of moisturizing to get rid of some very dry patches on my body.
5. Small refrigerator: If you can afford it, it may be a good idea to have small refrigerator in the room that the patient will be in recovering in. This offers them to ability to grab some water or favorite snack without the risk of going up or down stairs when they are weak, or having to ask someone to get it for them.
6. Streaming Services & Books: I honestly think I would have lost my mind if I didn’t have these options during my time in the hospital and during recovery. The post stem cell or bone marrow subject is going to be spending many months recovering and it was during my time in the hospital pre-transplant that we subscribed to some streaming services. My husband then surprised me a smart TV for our bedroom and it was a fantastic gift. In addition, friends sent me dozens of books, so I had a good variety of things to keep me occupied.
7. Pets: You may be asked to remove pets from your home for a period of time. While that may seem extreme, you are severely immunocompromised and it is easier to catch diseases from animals during this time. We were not told of this request until the morning I was to go home, so we negotiated that I would not kiss my cats or have them in my room for a while. It was very hard not to cuddle and kiss the cats, but it was a necessity. Also, someone else will need to handle washing the pet bowls and cleaning up after them. In addition, you will need to wash your hands after touching your pet.
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