What to Expect

A blood disorder diagnosis can be scary and confusing. We are here to support our patients and their families during this stressful time.

Most first visits to our pediatric hematology clinic will start by meeting the care team, which can include:

• Nurse coordinators – These nurses help patients and families navigate their treatment, including providing education, coordinating annual exams, working with outside agencies and assisting families with medical needs for travel. During one of your first visits, you will usually have a dedicated education session with a nurse coordinator to discuss your child’s condition and treatment options and answer any questions you may have.
• Nurse practitioners – These registered nurses have a master’s degree and advanced training, and they work collaboratively with physicians.
• Social workers – Our social workers assist families with emotional and practical needs and help your child and your entire family cope with chronic illness or hospitalization.
• Physical therapists – Some blood disorders, such as hemophilia, are better managed when patients work with a physical therapist to practice safe, healthy movement.

During your first visit, you will meet with doctors and other members of the care team to discuss your child’s condition, symptoms and treatment options. You’ll have an opportunity to ask us any questions you have. Depending on the condition, we may also bring in specialists from other teams, including surgeons, stem cell transplant experts and radiologists.

Thanks to improvements in treatment, most patients with blood disorders now live long, healthy lives. We work with each patient and family to develop a treatment plan for that patient’s unique needs. Depending on the condition and the patient, treatments can include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, blood transfusions and stem cell transplantation.