5 Tips That My Friend Shared With Me For Life After a Stem Cell Transplant

Sophia was diagnosed with stage III myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer. She was working as a teacher in an engineering college. The diagnosis came as a shock for her. She needed a stem cell transplant to produce blood in her body and also some other components for her immune system to work. Her own stem cells were recovered and harvested in a system. These cells were then put back into her body intravenously. After a 3-weeks hospital stay, she returned to her home to face a new set of challenges. Here are 5 tips that she shared with me to recover from the transplant.

1.Read the post-transplant manual

Ignorance is bliss, but it can be pretty dangerous for you if you have just returned home after a transplant. There is no substitute for staying updated about the post-transplant care. Get help for readying your home. Nothing could be better than a disinfected, and clutter-free home. Let your family and friends take up the task of dusting, organizing, laundry, and vacuuming. And you enjoy the break from the household work!

2.Keep talking and laughing - even in isolation

Infection is a major concern for the patient. Sophia had to limit face to face interactions with her family and friends for 2-3 weeks. During this period, they would wear masks and gloves.

However, you can always talk and laugh with your near and dear ones using Skype and other video chatting technologies. Sophia had to wait for about 30 days before her first public outing.

3.Do not attempt to do everything on your own; recognize your limitations

Managing 3 small children can be a tough job. So, Sophia would take a nap in the afternoon before her 3 school going kids would come back. This would energize and prepare her for the late afternoon and early evening rush.

Her husband would take over the household tasks once he arrived from his office.

4.Build up your strength

After the bone marrow transplant, you may feel as weak a new born baby. And you'll have to start all over again. Sophia started walking in her small garden the first few days, and then went on increasing distance and time outside. She gradually but continuously built up her strength.

5.If you have kids, adapt to stay safe

Sophia could be around her kids as long as they were not sick. Kids too didn't mind wearing masks and gloves during the first few weeks. Safety was the top-most priority, at least during the first 100 days after transplant. So when the kids would jump off their school bus and reach home, hand wash and cloth changing were the first requirement.

Sophia is pretty well these days. And she always takes out time to pray, love, and be loved. The message that Sophia gives is clear: there is life after stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Don't give up if you have been diagnosed with cancer. Bone marrow transplant /stem cell transplant is a life-saving procedure, and with the tips shared above you can recover quickly after the transplant. Don't give up. Live your life to the fullest.

By Aaditya Sardwal

Causes, Symptoms and Natural Home Remedies for Leucoderma (Vitiligo)

Leucoderma is also known as vitiligo and it is actually the loss of skin pigments from the skin layers. Due to the loss of skin pigments white patches appear all over the body of the affected person. This condition is mostly seen in women though it can happen to men also. Wrist, neck, hands and back are the most common areas of the skin where Leucoderma happens.

Leucoderma, or white skin, is the name given to a skin disease, wherein there is a gradual loss of the pigment, melanin, from the skin layers, resulting in the appearance of white patches. Though the disease does not cause any organic harm, the patches surely look ugly and upsetting. Known as vitiligo, leucoderma can affect people of any age and sex and can be seen on any kind of skin. Contrary to the popular belief, the disease is neither infectious nor contagious and is not caused due to any germs or bad blood. If you want to know the causes and symptoms of leucoderma, the following lines would come handy. Causes and Symptoms of Leucoderma More often than not, Leucoderma is associated with autoimmune disorders, though it is not necessary. The immune system destroys melanin considering it to be a foreign body. Chemical exposure or destruction of melanin cells by chemical agents may also cause Leucoderma. The exact cause of this disease is not known. Still, hormonal factors, low immunity, stress have been associated with the occurrence of this disease. Diabetes, jaundice, burn injuries, typhoid fever, measles, worms and other such diseases may also increase the risk of developing Leucoderma, though it has not been proven. Leucoderma is considered as a harmless disease. It does not cause pain or any other relevant medical complications. The disease starts with white, pale or discolored spots on the affected areas of the skin.These spots become whiter with the passage of time and even hair on the affected area gradually become white in color. The white patches are generally outlined by darker skin. The disease may also spread randomly to other areas. At times, the disease does not spread even without any treatment. Exposure to sun or chemicals may cause itching on the skin.
Home Remedies for Leucoderma Leucoderma treatment using Psoralea The best-know home remedy for leucoderma is the use of seeds of psoralea (babchi). These seeds should be steeped in the juice of ginger for three days. The fluid should be renewed every day. The seeds should then be rubbed with the hands to remove the husks, dried in the shade and powdered. One gram of this powder should be taken every day with one cup of fresh milk for forty days continuously. The ground seeds should also be applied to the white spots.
Babchi seeds, combined with tamarind (tamarind) seeds. are also useful. An equal quantity of both the seeds should be steeped in water for three to four days. They should then be shelled and dried in the shade. They should be ground into paste and applied to the white patches for a week. If the application of this paste causes itching, or the white spots become red and a fluid begins to ooze out, this treatment should be discontinued.
Find powerful herbal remedies Leucoderma Remedies
Leucoderma treatment using Red Clay Another useful remedy for leucoderma is red clay found by the river side or on hill slopes. The clay should be mixed in ginger juice in a ratio of 1:1, and applied over the white spots once a day. The copper contained in the clay seems to bring back skin pigmentation. Ginger juice also serves as a mild stimulant, facilitating increased blood flow to the spots. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper vessel will also help. Leucoderma treatment using Radish A paste made from the seeds of the radish is valuable in treating leucoderma. About thirty-five grams of these seeds should be powdered in two teaspoons of vinegar and applied on the white patches.
Leucoderma treatment using Goose Foot The use of goose foot is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. This vegetable should be taken twice daily, in the morning as well as in the evening, for two months continuously. Simultaneously, the juice of the leaves should be applied over the patches of leucoderma.
Leucoderma treatment using Turmeric Turmeric mixed with mustard oil has also proved useful in leucoderma. About 500 gm of turmeric should be pounded and soaked in 8 litres of water at night. It should be boiled in the morning till only one litre of water is left, and then be strained and mixed with 500 ml of mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It should then be strained and preserved in a bottle. The mixture should be applied on the white patches every morning and evening for a few months. Also read about Removes Acne Pimples Dark Spot on Skin or read more on babaramdevmedicines.com


Causes, Symptoms and Natural Home Remedies for Leucoderma (Vitiligo) by KAPAL BHATI