Despite your best precautions, it is likely that you will experience some setbacks as an unavoidable part of the recovery process. Stay on the lookout for symptoms and take prompt action to get anything unusual diagnosed and treated. Early treatment can minimize complications.
Note: Not everyone experiences all of these warning signs or complications, but most people experience some of them. Some of these symptoms might develop into long-term challenges. Most are temporary and will go away.
- Take your temperature twice a day, and any time you feel ill or suspect a fever. Fever is an early sign of infection.
- Weigh yourself twice a week. Let your doctor and dietitian know if you lose five pounds or more in seven days. Parents should check with their child's doctor to learn how much weight loss would be a concern.
Examine yourself daily and note any changes:
- Skin - redness or yellowish skin rash, swelling, bruising, blisters or tightness
- Fingernails and toenails - texture or brittleness
- Eyes - Dryness or irritation, blurred or double vision
- Mouth - Dryness, trouble swallowing, pain, sensitivity or sores
- Vagina - Dryness or irritation
- Joints - (fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees) - pain, stiffness, range of motion
- Diarrhea, frequent urination, blood in your urine or stool, abdominal pain, or any other difficulty using the bathroom
- Stomach cramps, diarrhea or gas after eating or drinking milk or dairy products (ice cream, cheese, yogurt). These problems could be signs of lactose intolerance. Persistent nausea or vomiting.
- Severe fatigue
- Bleeding
- Coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain
- Severe headaches
Parents:
If your child received a transplant, refer to the list of early warning signs every day and ask your child specific questions about any changes or problems. Stress to your child how important it is that he or she tell you right away about any changes.
Act fast to address early warning signs and minimize complications
- Don't ignore or underestimate symptoms. You cannot be too careful.
- Call your medical team as soon as you notice any warning signs.
- Provide as much detail as you can