Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Cheryl Rodgers

Project Overview

Conference Poster - The Meaning of Adolescents’ Eating Experiences during Bone Marrow Transplant Recovery

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a common treatment option for adolescents with various malignant and nonmalignant diseases; however, these adolescents can experience significant side effects as a result of the aggressive treatment.  The high dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is required before BMT can cause multiple, frequent, and severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects that often lead to poor oral intake and symptom distress.  There is little recognition of necessary management of ongoing GI symptoms and eating difficulties throughout the BMT recovery phase.  This research study will allow adolescents an opportunity to share their experiences, describe their feelings, and tell their stories in their own terms regarding their eating experiences, eating strategies, and related quality of life issues during the first 100 days post BMT.  The first 100 days after a BMT, considered the acute recovery phase, is a critical time period when multiple side effects and complications can occur.  The aims of the study are to address the following three research questions:
1. What meaning do adolescents ascribe to their eating experiences during the first 100 days post BMT?
2. What strategies do adolescents use to facilitate their eating experiences?
3. What impact do eating experiences have on adolescents' quality of life during the first 100 days post BMT?