What happens now?

Your blood count should be back to normal within a month. 

If you have a central line or port access you will need to continue to be careful and contact your hospital team if you have a fever. 

If you have had chemotherapy you will need to continue to take Co-trimoxizole (Septrin®) to prevent infection for a few months until your team advise that you don’t need it any more.

During the first six months, you will need to tell your parents, other family members or let your hospital nurse know if you come into contact with anyone who has measles or chicken pox. 

Depending on the treatment you have had, it may take a bit longer for your body to be able to fight infections normally again. It is important to continue with good personal and hand hygiene.

Your hair will begin to grow after chemotherapy has ended. 

It can take a while and it may grow back in a different colour, thickness or be curlier or straighter than it used to be. For a small number of patients who have had radiotherapy treatment to their head, hair may not thicken up or regrow in certain areas. 

Help and support is available, talk to your team if you have any questions.

Once your central line or port has been removed and the wound is healed (which usually takes around two weeks), then you may be able to swim. This is best checked with your doctor or nurse.

Tell your parents or other family member if you feel unwell. If you have a high temperature and still have a central line, then you will need to come into hospital. If six months have passed since finishing treatment and your blood counts are fully back to normal, you can see your GP first, who can decide if you need to go back to the hospital.
 

Your sense of taste and appetite should return to normal, although this might not happen if you had radiotherapy to your head and neck. 

Being able to eat properly again will help you get back to your usual weight. 

If you have put on weight, particularly from taking steroids, then look at what and how often you are eating to see if you can make any positive changes such as eating smaller portions, fewer snacks and less sugar. Being more active can also help with weight loss.

You can ask your doctor or nurse for help in managing your diet and weight safely. Some patients need to see a dietitian for support.

You will not need many blood tests now but some will still be important. If you don’t have a line then you will either have a thumb prick or a needle.

Many patients do not need medications once treatment finishes. 

You may have to continue with some medication, such as Co-trimoxizole (Septrin®) until your blood counts have recovered. 

After a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, a lot of medicines are needed to begin with but this reduces over time. You may have to take medications for life, but your doctor or nurse will explain this to you. This is usually to replace hormones that your body needs to function properly. 

You may need to carry a medical alert card or bracelet if you have to take certain long-term medications. 

You may feel tired for quite a while because your body’s strength and energy levels need to recover. It can take some time to build up your stamina again, however, you can help give your body a boost by eating a balanced diet and staying active.

Depending on the type of cancer and the treatment you had, you may need to carry an irradiated blood card. This card indicates that, if you ever need blood, you will need irradiated blood to prevent complications. 

If you are unsure whether you should have this card, speak to your nurse.

You usually need to have repeat immunisations after chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. Usually these are given at your GP. 

Your doctor or nurse will explain more about this to you and your family.

Young people who have had cancer treatment still get coughs, colds, aches and pains like everyone else. 

It is hard not to worry about becoming ill again but try to remember that it is far more likely to be a common virus than anything serious. But if you are still worried, tell your parents, other family member or GP.

This happens as soon as possible after your treatment has finished and any scans or tests are completed. You will need a small operation with a general anaesthetic to remove it.

Cancer can happen to anyone and there is no obvious reason why you developed cancer before. However, we do know that how we choose to live our lives can help lessen the risk of serious illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. There are things that you can do to help stay healthy:

• eat a well-balanced diet
• drink plenty of water
• keep active
• stay safe in the sun
• look after your teeth
• be body aware
• practise safe sex
• don't smoke or vape
• don't take recreational drugs
• don't drink too much alcohol