What is a stem cell transplant?  

Aplastic anaemia is a disease in which the bone marrow’s stem cells do not make enough blood cells.

When this happens, the best option for you might be something called a stem cell transplant. This is where healthy stem cells from a kind person (called a donor) are placed into your blood.

These healthy cells make their way to your bone marrow and start to make new stem cells.

These stem cells will then grow into blood cells. 

Who will my new stem cells come from?

The stuff your donor’s cells are made of has to be a good match with yours, so the donor might be your brother or sister. A brother or sister has a good chance of being a perfect match.

Sometimes they are not a match, so the donor might be somebody you don’t know. They are always very kind people and lots of checks are done before you are given their stem cells. 

Before your stem cell transplant

It’s a really good idea to spend some time getting yourself ready for the transplant itself and thinking about what things will be like afterwards. 

It takes time to recover from a stem cell transplant, and you won’t be able to go back to school for a while.

Your parents or carers will let the school know what’s happening, and will keep them up to date. 

You might want to talk to your teacher and your friends about what is happening to you, or you might not. It is important to let your parents or carers know how you feel. 

Conditioning therapy

To get your body ready for the new stem cells, you will need to have a treatment called ‘conditioning therapy’.

This takes about a week. You’ll be fitted with a thin tube, called a central line, and this will be used to give you medication, take blood samples, and deliver the stem cells. Just like when you have an injection, you will feel a short, sharp pricking feeling. Other than this, having a central line should not cause you any pain.

On the day of your transplant

On transplant day, the cells are given to you through your central line. It should take less than an hour, so it doesn’t take very long. You’ll stay awake all the way through and it won’t hurt at all. 

Your stay in hospital

You will need to take some medicines to help you recover, and you will be placed in protective isolation. 

This means a germ-free room to keep you safe from infection. Most hospitals will let you choose some people who can come into your room, so you won’t be on your own. Being away from other people can feel strange, but having things to do like books, music, films or gaming will help the time to pass more quickly.

Going home

When the time comes to go home, you might feel excited, but also worried about how you’re going to feel. 

Going home is a big step after being cared for in a hospital.

It can feel strange and lonely, knowing that your friends are at school and not being able to see them. Staying in touch over the phone or online can really help with this. 

Your doctor will only say you can go home when they feel that you are ready. If you have any worries, talk to your parents or carers. They can talk to your doctors, who can help you feel better about going home. 

Your family

Having a stem cell transplant can be a difficult time for you and your family. As much as possible, try to keep talking and sharing your feelings and worries with your parents or carers, your friends and the doctors treating you.

They will be able to help you stay positive and get better.

Ask Erica

In this video, Erica shares some stories and advice from when she went into hospital for her stem cell transplant:

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