Key Planning Tasks

This section will help you to understand what steps you will need to take and what preparations will need to be made before transplant.

On this Page:

• Select a Caregiver
• Complete a health care proxy form
• Schedule your pre-transplant dental evaluation
• Make short-term accommodation and transportation arrangements (if needed)
• Prepare your home for transplant

 

Select a Caregiver

You will need to select a caregiver(s) who can help you day-to-day before, during, and after your stem cell transplant. Your caregiver(s) is a necessary part of your care team. Caregivers are often a family member, spouse, or friend. You should have one to two people who can serve as your primary caregiver(s). However, it can be helpful to have a team of different people who can divide the responsibilities and assist you in different ways or at different times. It is important for you and your caregiver(s) to fully understand the caregiver role.

It is important for you and your caregiver(s) to fully understand the caregiver role and guidelines for reducing infection risk. You should communicate with your oncology nurse navigator on identifying which roles would be appropriate to delegate.

Your caregiver(s) should be able to help you for up to 100 days after your stem cell infusion with the following tasks:

• Attend all appointments before, during, and after transplant
• Provide transportation to your appointments
• Take notes and ask questions during your appointments
• Keep track of your symptoms
• Participate in teaching sessions with your care team
• Be available to assist you with recovery after transplant
• Record and refill your medications
• Oversee visitors
• Update your family/friends on your treatment and well-being
• Manage household needs, such as understanding dietary needs and restrictions and ensuring your home is clean

Your caregiver (and/or team of caregivers) should plan to be involved throughout your transplant recovery, which can last up to 100 days after your stem cell infusion, but may be longer. While their responsibilities may lessen over time, you will want your caregiver(s) available to go with you to follow-up appointments and support your needs at home. If you have multiple caregivers, it’s important that everyone communicate to help manage your care.

Complete a Health Care Proxy Form

A health care proxy form is a legal document that allows adult patients to name someone they trust to speak for them if they cannot make medical decisions on their own. While you will play an active role in your treatment plan, making your own decisions as you review and plan your care options with your care team, there may be a time (due to medical reasons or illness) when you are unable to make health care decisions for yourself.

A health care proxy can ensure your beliefs and values will be heard and followed if you cannot communicate them yourself. As you prepare for your transplant, we encourage you to identify someone who can serve as your health care proxy.  

We encourage you to discuss your wishes with your family and your potential health care proxy. Here are some questions to consider:

• What are my biggest concerns and fears about the future (related to my illness)?
• What goals are most important to me if my illness progresses?
• How much am I willing to go through to extend my life?
• Are there situations or conditions in which I would not want intensive medical treatment? For example, would I want to be kept alive on a machine? Would I be willing to undergo surgery, even if it would prolong my life only for a short time?

For more information about a Health Care Proxy, see the insert in the front pocket of this guide, talk with your clinical social worker, or visit dana-farber.org/healthcareproxy.

Schedule Your Pre-Transplant Dental Evaluation

Getting a dental evaluation and appropriate dental treatment is critical to ensuring your overall health before and during your transplant. This is because infections in the mouth and gums can easily spread to the rest of your body. You must see a dentist and have a dental evaluation before your transplant.  

Schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible for your pre-transplant dental evaluation (even if you wear dentures). This evaluation includes an examination and dental x-rays and is OK to do even if you have low platelet or white blood cell counts as long as you coordinate with your local oncologist to confirm timing to prevent infection and bleeding risk.  

Have your dentist complete and return the dental evaluation and dental x-rays to the BWH Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry. Information and instructions are in the dental evaluation packet in the front pocket of your binder.  

Resource

Pre-Transplant Dental Evaluation: Information for Patients (PDF)

Dental Clearance Program: Information for Dentists (PDF)

Evaluacion dental antes del transplant (PDF)

Programa de autorización dental para pacientes que tiene programado un trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas (PDF)

Completing your dental evaluation and treatment is required. You must have any oral health needs taken care of before you have your stem cell transplant.  

IMPORTANT: Insurance Coverage for Dental Evaluation  

• Pre-transplant dental work is not usually covered by medical insurance.
• You should use your existing dental coverage (if available) or check with your health insurer or financial counselor to determine whether pre-transplant dental screening and treatment (necessary for the transplant) is covered.
• Alert your oncology nurse navigator right away if you do not have dental coverage.

Make Short-Term Accommodation and Transportation Arrangements 

As you prepare for transplant, you may need to plan for housing and travel needs. We have resources to help.

If you're worried about being able to pay for non-medical expenses such as short-term places to stay, food, utilities, parking, transportation, or have other barriers to getting cancer care, our dedicated resource specialists can help by identifying resources available for our adult patients. Certain financial requirements may apply. 

To discuss your options, call the Adult Resource Office at 617-632-3301 (press option 2).

Short-Term Accommodations

If you are receiving your transplant in the hospital, no one – including your caregiver or other family member or friend – can stay with you overnight in the hospital. They may want to arrange local housing for themselves while you are in the hospital, but it is not required. 

If you are receiving your transplant in the outpatient setting, and don’t live nearby Dana-Farber, you will need to set up local housing. Contact a resource specialist (617-632-3301, option 2) once you have tentative dates for your transplant. We cannot assist with housing until you have your transplant date.

Short-term accommodations in Boston and the Longwood Medical Area (LMA) are limited and can be expensive. A list of short-term accommodations (hotels, short-term furnished apartments, volunteer host homes, and community living) in the Boston area is included in the Housing Resource Guide inserted in the front pocket of the guide.

Resource

Housing Guide (PDF)

Short-term Accommodations Reminders:

• ​Ask your insurance plan if they offer a housing benefit. Your financial counselor will help you identify and understand the process for obtaining reimbursement for housing benefits that your insurance may cover. Be sure to tell your resource specialist if you have this housing benefit.
• Contact a resource specialist (617-632-3301, option 2) if you are worried about short-term accommodations costs. There are a limited number of lower cost accommodations in the area. These options usually have income or other eligibility requirements. They often fill up quickly so we recommend you contact your resource specialist as far in advance of your transplant as possible (even if you don’t yet have your exact dates) to explore reduced rate options. Please note that the resource specialist is not able to assist with permanent housing referrals.
• Begin researching housing options only once you know your transplant date.

Parking 

Parking is available for patients, families, and visitors in the garage beneath Dana-Farber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. The garage entrance is located at 1 Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, MA. Wheelchairs are available at the main entrance.

All patients can receive a discounted parking rate. To obtain this rate, have your ticket validated during your appointment check-in or at the security desk on the first floor of the Yawkey Center before paying for parking. For more details, visit www.dana-farber.org/directions and select the Parking link, or call 617-632-3134 to speak with a parking staff member.

If you are receiving your transplant in the inpatient setting and are admitted for 10+ days, discounted parking is available for visitors. Contact the Patient Parking Assistance Program at 617-632-5110 or by email at dfcipatientparking@partners.org to inquire about parking rate benefits for your caregiver during your hospitalization.

Contact the Patient Parking Assistance Program at 617-632-5110 to inquire about eligibility for parking financial assistance if the discounted parking rate presents a financial challenge. Limited assistance is available for patients and families who meet specific income and length of hospital stay criteria.
 

Transportation

Contact a resource specialist (617-632-3301, option 2) if you are concerned about arranging or affording transportation to your appointments. We may be able to help you identify services within your community.

Prepare Your Home 

​Because you will be at risk for infection for a period of time after your transplant, you will need to prepare your home to be safe for you. Your home will need to be carefully cleaned. Focus on areas that you will be living in or spending time in after your transplant. For example, do not worry about the attic or your basement if you do not spend time there. Cleaning should focus on the removal of any mold or mildew, especially in the bathroom.

Key preparations include:

• Vacuum and dust all rooms.
• Clean under all appliances.
• Remove plants (live and fake) from rooms you will be using.
• Shampoo wall to wall carpets if not done in the past year. Clean area rugs according to their instructions.
• Clean drapes and blinds if not done in the past year.
• If you have well water, have a bacterial study done. Once you've determined your well water to be safe during and after your transplant, you can also use an over-the-counter water filter, such as a water filter pitcher or water filter attachment that can be fitted to your sink.

Do not start any major construction projects prior to your transplant. These work areas can be dirty and are hard to keep clean. Your return home may be delayed if the project takes longer than expected.

It is important that your home be clean and ready for you immediately following your transplant. While it may be a good idea to have some help with this, a specialized cleaning company is not required.

Resource

Preparing your home for transplant (PDF)