Filipino mother undergoes leukemia transplant care with bilingual support in Hangzhou
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University describes targeted treatment, overseas family donor testing and Chinese–English instructions during Christine’s stem-cell transplant care.
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Christine, a Filipino woman working in education in Hangzhou, underwent a hematopoietic stem-cell transplant at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The hospital’s August 11, 2025 account follows her treatment, language support and early recovery after isolation care.
Urgent assessment and family donor testing
At the end of 2024, persistent low-grade fever and worsening weakness led to a diagnosis of acute leukemia. Christine had lived and worked in Hangzhou for four years and was caring for a baby barely a year old. The diagnosis brought concerns about treatment, language and navigating an unfamiliar medical system.
When she transferred to the hospital’s hematology department, her platelet count had fallen to a critically low level and her condition was worsening. A multidisciplinary team prepared a treatment plan. Targeted medicines were used first to control her condition while her brother in the Philippines was arranged to undergo testing as a potential half-matched donor.
Bilingual instructions and transplant nursing
The department produced Chinese–English manuals covering chemotherapy precautions, diet and discharge instructions. Illustrated medication schedules helped communicate how the medicines were to be taken.
During the transplant, nurses monitored vital signs, oral health, skin and perianal care, maintained the central venous catheter, and recorded fluid intake and output. When high-dose chemotherapy caused severe gastrointestinal discomfort, they stayed at her bedside, provided mouth care and used Chinese herbal patches as part of the supportive care.
The team also sterilized her ukulele and brought it into the laminar-flow isolation room. Her husband communicated encouragement through the visiting corridor window, maintaining family contact during this part of treatment.
Engraftment followed by ongoing recovery
After 18 days in the laminar-flow room, Christine had passed through the period of bone-marrow suppression and the transplanted stem cells had engrafted, according to the hospital. She then left isolation.
At the time of the August report, her blood-forming function had largely recovered. She was continuing rehabilitation and follow-up treatment.