This information will help you know what to bring when you’re admitted to the hospital for your stem cell transplant. In this resource, the word “you” means you or your child.
Clothing and shoes
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Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, such as pajamas, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.
- Bring shirts that open in the front (such as with buttons or a zipper), if you can. This makes it easier for your healthcare team to access your central venous catheter (CVC).
- Bring pants that have a drawstring instead of an elastic waistband, if you can. This helps prevent skin irritation caused by certain chemotherapies.
- Bathrobes.
- Clean underwear.
- Slippers with non-skid bottoms.
- Shoes to wear while you’re walking in the halls and doing your physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) exercises.
You will need to change your clothes every day you’re in the hospital. There’s a shared laundry room on the unit, but you will need to bring your own fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent. Some examples are Tide® free & gentle, dreft®, and Arm & Hammer™ Sensitive Skin.
Optional items
You can bring other items to make you comfortable and help pass the time while you’re in the hospital. But, try not to bring so many items that your room is cluttered.
Examples of things to bring include:
- Scarves or hats.
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Pillows (except feather pillows), blankets, comforters, and stuffed animals.
- Please wash these items before bringing them to the hospital.
- A nail file.
- Room decorations, such as photos.
- DVDs.
- A laptop, tablet (such as an iPad), or gaming system.
There is a shared refrigerator in the M9 Pantry where you can keep some of your favorite foods.
Please feel free to ask your transplant team about any additional personal items you would like to bring to make your stay more comfortable!
