The Straight and Marrow

Dr Michelle Yong, an infectious diseases expert, answers all of our questions about infectious diseases in bone marrow transplant patients. We discuss neutrophils, cytomegalovirus, preventative measures and discuss what is the real 'f' word in transplantation. 

In this episode, Alex and Ming talk with one of their patients Kate. Kate was diagnosed with AML in 2020 and she shares with us candidly what her experience was like; from ICU admissions to struggling with graft versus host disease and balancing her recovery with family life - Kate's frank and open insight into her illness and recovery is inspiring to hear. 

Dr Ray Koo, a haematologist specialising in allogeneic bone marrow transplants, joins Alex & Yvonne to discuss Graft vs Host Disease. From understanding the paradox of graft versus host disease and graft versus tumour effect,through to general treatment guidelines and take home messages. 

Bianca Cirone is a Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Practitioner at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Bianca talks with Yvonne and Alex about survivorship and management of the late effects of transplantation - from hormones to sexual health to secondary cancers.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a young person having a bone marrow transplant or dealing with a cancer diagnosis?Kate Thompson is the program manager of ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service. In this episode she talks about the broader aspects of care for young people with cancer from changing family dynamics, how to talk to your parents and to how to get a job or go to uni post transplant. 

Dr Brindha Pillay is a clinical psychologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital. She is particularly interested in providing therapeutic interventions to patients and their families as they navigate the cancer experience, from diagnosis through to treatment and rehabilitation. In this episode she talks with Alex and Yvonne about a broad range of topics from management techniques through to relationship troubles and the fear of relapse 

Mr Shevon Fernando works as a senior haematology pharmacist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. In this episode Shevon talks with Alex about all things medication management and allograft – from the purposes behind the medications that we use, nausea management and how to manage the sheer volume of tablets.  

Aaron Hill is an apheresis clinical nurse specialist at the VCCC service with a 20 year background in Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Apheresis.  Aaron talks with the team about the process of donating stem cells and the incredible role of the donor. 

Professor David Ritchie and Ming discuss a frequently asked question from patients “what are my chances”. In this episode we look at factors that impact decision making in transplantation and what patients can expect throughout different stages of their transplant – from a pre-transplant work up to mucositis and engraftment. 

The Nuts and Bolts of Bone Marrow transplantation Dr Ashvind Prabahran & Alex discuss the why, the what and the how of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant as well as some of the nursing and patient experiences related to the BMT inpatient stay.​

Professor Jeffrey Szer shares his incredible insights into the evolution and development of Allogeneic bone marrow transplant in Australia using his personal history as a transplanter - it's not fiction!

Social worker Lori Hobbs and carer Jan Hamilton discuss the wonderful and complex role of being a carer for someone having a bone marrow transplant 

Cancer fatigue is a commonly described symptom after Allogeneic BMT and can be very distressing.  Dr Elizabeth Pearson answers questions about managing cancer & treatment related fatigue