This treatment is a tough one and recovery takes a long while: between 3 to 6 months, maybe longer. For the first 2 or 3 months after treatment you'll have frequent blood tests to check your numbers of blood cells. You might have to carry on taking antibiotics and anti-viral drugs for a while. You might also need blood or platelet transfusions. These can usually be given to you as a day patient. You might even need to go back in to hospital once or twice. It'll probably be about a year until your immune system gets back to normal and your bone marrow starts producing blood cells normally.
It's really important that you look after your health during this time and let your doctors know if you have any worries. They'll be seeing you regularly in the outpatient department for check ups but you should get in touch with them immediately if you have any of the following:
- a high temperature
- infections (on your skin, mouth or bottom)
- skin rashes
- severe diarrhoea
- breathing problems.
By the end of the first year, your immune system will probably have gone back to normal and your bone marrow will be producing blood cells normally. You might still get infections every now and then and might need to go into hospital. When you only need occasional blood tests or drips your central line will be taken out.
It's not just your physical health that needs looking after. When you've been through such a tough treatment it can take a long time to feel like you're finally getting back to normal. You'll probably have times when you feel low or depressed or worried about the future. Many young people keep in touch with the counsellors that they've met during their treatment or join any support groups available in their area. Some people find online chatrooms helpful or chatting to other people via our forum
