A member of the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant team will call and provide you with a time for your first appointment with the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant program. You will usually be asked to have blood work done before meeting with the transplant team.
Learn more about preparing for your first appointment in the Guide to Princess Margaret »
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List of all medications you are currently taking.
This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamin or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.
See also: My First Appointment at UHN »
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Medications that you need to take.
Appointments can take several hours. Bring with you any medications you normally take during the day.
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A trusted friend or family member.
A friend or family member can give you emotional support and can help you make good choices. They can also help you gather information, take notes and ask questions.
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Questions to ask.
Bring a list of questions to your appointment to help you remember everything you want to ask.
See also: Treatment Decision-Making and Questions to Ask »
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Recent medical results that the team should be aware of.
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Snacks to eat while you are at the hospital.
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CD or DVD of your imaging studies.
Your referring doctor may give you a CD or DVD of imaging studies you may have had done such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds. If so, it is very important to bring this CD or DVD with you.
Learn more about what to bring »
The first person you meet at the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Clinic is the Patient Flow Coordinator (PFC). To sign in with the PFC you will need your Ontario health card (OHIP card). If you do not have an OHIP card, please bring another form of government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport, or other provincial health card). Stem Cell Donors please follow the same process outlined above.
First appointments take longer than follow-up appointments.
- First appointments can take 2 or more hours.
We do our best to stay on time. Unfortunately, your appointment may be delayed by unforeseen circumstances. We recommend that you come prepared for delays. For example, make sure your arrangements for things like parking, babysitting, and elder care can accommodate a longer than usual appointment.
At the end of your first appointment, the nurse or doctor will give you a contact list for your health care team. If you don’t get a contact list, feel free to ask for it.
After every appointment, the Transplant Coordinator will tell you about your next steps. Be sure you understand what is going to happen next.
If you are unsure about what your next steps are, don’t be afraid to ask your Transplant Coordinator. We will give you our contact information at your appointment and are always there to help you.
Other resources that you may find helpful:
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The Cancer Journey Resources include a personal guidebook and planner. These resources are available to all new patients at the Princess Margaret. You can pick up a free copy from your clinic or at the Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library. The Cancer Journey Guide Book and Planner are also available online or on the Princess Margaret Journey App.
Learn more about the Cancer Journey Resources »
We understand that reaching us by phone can sometimes be difficult. Often our phone lines are busy or are turned over to voicemail so clinic staff can prepare for clinic visits or help other patients.
We make every effort to return your call within 48 hours. Our staff will try to reach you 2 times. If we are not able to reach you directly – and you do not have an answering machine for us to leave a message – you may need to call us again.
