As you recuperate from your autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplant, the Long Term Follow Up (LTFU) department will be actively involved to facilitate your recovery in the best possible manner. We will become familiar with you early in the transplant process, then become increasingly involved with your care as time goes on. Our goal is to assist you in returning to an optimal level of productivity. Our office will function as a resource for you and your caregiver.
The long term follow up department consists of a multidisciplinary team:
Your primary transplanting physician: Your physician will continue to see you on a regular basis for clinic visits.
- An advanced practice provider dedicated to long-term follow-up.
- A nurse coordinator dedicated to long-term follow-up.
- A social worker dedicated to bone marrow transplant.
- A nutritionist dedicated to the specific needs of the bone marrow transplant patient.
Other consulting physicians and services will be actively involved in your care as your physician deems necessary. These services include gastroenterology, ophthalmology, infectious disease, cardiology, pulmonary, dermatology, neurology, dentistry, gynecology, and physical therapy.
How the LTFU program participates in your care:
For autologous transplant patients, someone from the LTFU department will be present during your exit interview from our clinic as you are redirected to the care of your referring oncologist. This visit generally lasts about two hours. During the exit interview, it is a good idea to bring your transplant guide book as well as someone who has been, or will be, involved in your care--- plan on taking notes during this visit. You will have a complete examination, lab work, discussion about discharge guidelines to follow at home, and you will receive an outline of post-transplant staging studies. All of this information will be sent to your referring oncologist as well. Following the exit interview, we recommend follow-up visits with our clinic at specific intervals that will be determined by your transplant physician.
For allogeneic transplant patients, the LTFU department will see you around 3-6 months after your transplant. You will undergo a complete physical evaluation, lab work, surveillance for post-transplant complications, a nutritional evaluation, and a consult with our psychologist or social worker if needed. Prior to some of these visits, you may be given a screening questionnaire to focus on any physical, emotional, or social concerns. This visit will be a routine clinic visit. All of the information discussed during these visits will be communicated in writing to you, your primary transplanting physician, and your referring oncologist.
When you are one year out of transplant, both autologous and allogeneic transplant patients will receive information regarding recommendations for a first annual post-transplant workup. Any questions about this workup should be directed to the LTFU department at PSLMDLLTFU@HCAHealthcare.com.
Graft-vs-host-disease clinic
Our graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) clinic evaluates and treats adults who have undergone an allogeneic transplant and have been diagnosed with GVHD. The goal of the GVHD clinic is to create individualized care for each patient, allowing them to live a full life. The clinic consists of doctors and nurses who are experts in diagnosing and treating the different forms of GVHD.
The GVHD clinic is open to people who had an allogeneic transplant with CBCI, as well as people who had an allogeneic transplant at another hospital.