Stem cell transplant

Hi Dawn17

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Lindsey and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

I can see you have joined the Mantle cell forum, I hope you have been finding the online community helpful. I’m sorry to hear that your husband is having to have a stem cell transplant. The short answer to your question about exercise is yes, it would be beneficial.

Physical activity can help him get ready for treatment. It may reduce the risk of side effects or mean side effects are less severe. It can help to speed recovery. Our booklet explains more about being active, the benefits and how to be safe when exercising.

There are several ways your husband can prepare for his transplant. Preparing for treatment is sometimes called prehabilitation. Some hospitals have prehabilitation programmes. They focus on:

• eating healthily
• mental well being
• physical activity or exercise.

Cancer Research have more information about prehabilitation and a list of services. He could ask his hospital team if there are any programmes locally.

If there are no local prehabilitation services, he could ask his team if they have any support in place to help him prepare for his transplant. There are changes he can make himself at home, including eating healthily, looking after his emotional well-being as well as being physically active.

The  Anthony Nolan website has more information on preparing for a stem cell transplant.

 I hope that this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again. We often find that we can help people more by talking to them directly. You can speak to one of our experienced cancer information nurses by calling our free helpline on 0808 808 00 00 or by Webchat seven days a week 8am – 8pm. You can also email us back and we aim to reply within two working days.

Kind Regards,

Lindsey

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

Ref: Lrob/TT