Dad struggling with recovery and mental health after a bone marrow transplant for AML. What can I do to help him?

My father was diagnosed with AML in January and had a bone marrow transplant in early June. He is now home and “recovering” from this. His mental health is not great and he is spending all day every day in bed rarely getting up (even to go to the toilet). Only time he’s leaving the house is to go to an appointment which is once a week. My mother is caring for him but it’s taking its toll on her too. What can I do to help? To encourage him to try and get up (even just for 30mins). Thank you for reading. Sorry it’s a long post. 

  • Welcome to the forum hps, although I'm sorry to hear about your father. This must be very difficult.

    Life after a bone marrow transplant can be very tough but I hope this information we have about mental health and cancer and supporting someone with cancer will be useful. We also have a team of cancer nurses you can discuss this with on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very insightful and will do all they can to answer your questions and help you find a way you can support your mother and your father as he continues his recovery from his transplant.

    Hopefully some of our members will be along soon to offer their thoughts and advice as well but in the meantime, we're thinking of you hps and sending all our support to you and parents at this very challenging time.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello to you. Inform your father that having the transplant has offered him hope of future years with his family. I  am 4yrs on from my stemcell transplant and am in very good health. He will go through the most difficult period right now but be assured it does taper away. Your Dad's body is in a very weakened state at the moment. To be brutally frank you need to look at issues that can/will occur and be ready. For myself at his current stage I was struck with severe shingles, the hospital felt was gvhd, but was not. If he has not been offered the shingles jab get it asap. I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. which needs to be treated with steroids and clears up. To be for warned is to be for armed. Get him into a routine and keep a diary of events. Go with him for a short walk each day. I used to have dextrose tablets and small fruit pots handy before hand and set the whole thing into a routine. Each week gets better and your confidence.He will have a weakened immune system for a very look time so note problems that may arise. Get the 7 steps Anthony Nolan handbook and associated pamphlets.

    The light at the end of the tunnel is bright !

    Best wishes to your father and happy for further contact if you wish.

    Yours, Barry.