Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of Basics for Patients - Softcover

Susan K. Stewart underwent a bone marrow transplant in 1989 after learning she had leukemia. At the time, there were no books written in lay language that described the procedure and its side effects. She wrote Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of Basics for Patients to fill that gap. Ms. Stewart is now Executive Director of BMT InfoNet - an international support organization for bone marrow, blood stem cell and cord blood transplant patients and their families. Married and the mother of one child, she lives in Illinois.

Dear Friend, In 1988, after being diagnosed with leukemia, my doctor recommended a bone marrow transplant. I'd never before heard of a bone marrow transplant, and hadn't a clue as to what bone marrow is or why it's important.

I was confused and overwhelmed. All the medical terms used to describe a BMT were new to me, and often I was so lost I couldn't even figure out the right questions to ask! After recovering from my BMT, I met several BMT survivors and learned my experience was not unique.

This book is written BY patients FOR patients with the help of several doctors and nurses. It's designed to translate some of the medical information you'll receive before, during and after your bone marrow transplant into plain English.

There's no getting around it - bone marrow transplantation is a big, confusing subject. There's lots of information to absorb in this book. Take it at your own pace.

If you're only ready for the basics, start with Chapters One and Six. Then use the table of contents and index to find answers to the questions that are bothering you most.

When you're ready, read the other chapters for a more in-depth explanation of the different kinds of transplants, complications that can arise, and how other patients have coped with the experience.

I know how difficult it is to make the decision to have a bone marrow transplant, undergo the treatment and get back to a normal life. I hope this book helps make your experience a little easier.

Susan K. Stewart Editor, Blood & Marrow Transplant Newsletter