Kim,
I shared my thoughts about your transplant decision in your
thread about your consultation at the Hutch. Regarding questions to ask, here are some suggestions.
I'd ask them how they see Shauna's suitability as a transplant candidate. Is she an ideal candidate or are there caveats? If they recommend a transplant, I'd ask for a detailed explanation of why.
If not, ask the same question: why? Should she continue on cyclosporine as long as it works? Typically how long do other patients at her age and with her history successfully stay on cyclosporine or stay in remission after tapering off? What are the long-term risks of that approach? How slow a taper makes sense? If she repeats ATG, should it be horse or rabbit ATG?
What statistics can they give you about each of these choices? What are her chances of being cured? Of not surviving the transplant and the months immediately afterwards? If she waits a couple of years to see if she can reach remission with drugs alone, how will that change her transplant prospects?
What are the long-term effects of a transplant? Could the SAA return? If the transplant fails, what would they do?
How can Shauna's fertility be preserved? How successful is that approach?
What medications will she need to be on after the transplant and for how long? What side effects of transplant treatment and medications are very likely or somewhat likely?
Is the transplant completely covered by Shauna's insurance? What about travel and lodging? The medicine she'll need? This consultation?
Practical aspects of a transplant: How long would Shauna have to be in the hospital? What is the transplant experience like? How long would she have to stay in the Seattle area? What would your role be during the transplant? What should you expect when she's home again? Would she need to keep returning to Seattle for followup care or could that be done where you live? Should she see her current doctor or do they recommend someone in your area for post-transplant care?
When we had our consultation at the Hutch we also got a short tour of the transplant facilities. You could do that too.
They will give you printed materials that may answer some of your questions, and you often have to play it by ear when you have a short consultation appointment, but showing up prepared will help you make the most of it. I hope it goes well.