Organ Transplants Support Group

An organ transplant is the transplantation of a whole or partial organ from one body to another (or from a donor site on the patient's own body), for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or failing organ with a working one from the donor site. Organ donors can be living, or deceased (previously referred to as cadaveric)... Types of transplants include:...

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How do I prepare?

deleted_user
deleted_user
My husband has been told, unofficially at this moment, but the official word will come next week, that he's on the liver transplant waiting list.

It is an awesome thing to know that he has a chance to beat this thing (with God's help) and we can live our lives like most retired people do. He is not quite retirement age.

Anyhow, the upcoming event has got me perplexed. I don't know where to begin. We are about 2 1/2 hours from the clinic, and will have to take enough stuff with us to be able to stay there during the time after. We were told it could be as short as 21 days, and as long as 6 months, according to how my husbands recovery is progressing. I don't know how to pack to be ready. I don't know whether to go away from home or just stay here all the time. What will happen if I am in town and the call comes. How will I get him to calm down after the call comes. How will I calm down enough to drive after the call comes. What about the mail? and the dog? and the house?
All of these questions are whirling around in my head like a hurricane. If anyone has had experience in preparing, please give me some advice so I can calm down.

Thanks so much,
Searchgal
deleted_user
deleted_user
Searchgal.
Having been there and done that I feel I can offer some help.I recently {FEB07} had a heart transplant.I had been called up 5 times before we finally got a heart.Always something wrong,sometimes the donor heart was no good sometimes I was no good.They actually sent me home because I had a tempurature of 100.5.Anyway the 6th time they called we just left the bags at home.We're about an hour away from UCLA.Thats who did the transplant. We did take an overnight bag but left the majority at home. When I was accepted my wife called my daughter who brought the stuff from home.I didn't really need anything for about 10 days.But the wife took a room at an Extended Stay hotel. We stayed about 3 months. Planning was kinda pointless until the actual transplant happened. I know the anxeity is sometimes overwhelming.I felt badly for my wife.Everytime they sent me home she would just cry.I guess what I'm trying to say is the transplant in Gods time and not before.We were prepared but it really started to get like a revolving door.Goodluk to your husband and just try not to let the anxiety get to you.God bless Greg G
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, first thing you do is prepare for anything! When the call comes, all it means is it is time. Pre-plan for, dog, and house-sitting. During the drive that night. No need to panic, hurry, or worry. Just get him there on time for the pre-ops. Just remember, get all your ducks in a row. He will be fine, but advance directives, and wills should be updated. Both of you put life in God's hands. Everything then will be alright. Prepare for visits, family friends, yourself. The better he takes care of himself before and after the surgery/transplant. The faster he will recover. Rejection episodes are common. Don't worry, everyones been through it. You are his strong link. Be there for him, with him, and most of all love him! A lot of questions are running through his mind, as well as yours. Get all the information you can, then communicate with everyone, staff, doctor's, us. It takes time, but actually you should see a big change in him the first two days. I hoped this helped? Any questions we are all here. Good luck, God bless. May peace and the Lord be with you both. Mike
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mike, I totally appreciate your response. All along, we have put God in control of the situation, we are along for the ride. I just am concerned about things, but, one-by-one, my questions are being answered. I spoke with Angel Flight yesterday. They told me that if we get the call and they are not able to help us due to a few circumstances, like weather, when we leave, call the Highway Patrol, and they will give us an escort. We will be on Interstate Highways for about 100 mi. That info really eases my mind, as I-95 tends to have some major back-up accidents. I have the dog situation taken care of, and I believe my 28 year old son will stay at the house. I thought maybe you had some hints, like how to pack things to be prepared, and yet have things to use at home in the mean time.
Anyhow, thanks for the response. I am taking everyones advice into consideration.
gail
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow. I was also told that after the transplant, I would have to be no farther away than 20 minutes from the hospital during my recovery stage. My transplant was done at Vanderbilt. Through the social worker there, I was able to choose from a list of possible places to stay. I decided to stay at the Village @ Vanderbilt where everything came with the rent of the apartment. Also, it was the closest and would allow me to have the most freedom. Have you been in touch with a social worker or is there somebody at your transplant hospital that will give you information like this? The mail, the dog, your bills,...all that stuff will take care of itself. Where you stay while recovering is SO important. To me, the apartment was home for over two months.
If you want other info, just email me. My best wishes to you and your husband. God works miracles, and I'm living proof.
deleted_user
deleted_user
By the time my call came I was in ICU and very very sick. But my family was running around like chickens with their heads cut off. lol
I for one did not want them there all the time once I was feeling better. You living so close you should be able to go home after a couple weeks. In the mean time pack what well making hospital room living comfortable. Books, crafts or whatever you like to do to help kill time cause the surgery can be long. Mine was five hours. Then you can only visit every so often when in ICU so need stuff to do between times.
Once he is out you'll be pretty busy with him and stuff but still need things to do so make sure you have your books and things.
I could not see for a month at least cause of meds he may not be able to either so maybe a joke book to read to him or maybe you can read the newspaper to help him keep up with the times.
Just be flexible and you stay calm it well go a long way to helping him.
I wish you luck.
deleted_user
deleted_user
the great news is::::my husband received his transplant on December 11th, and he was in the hospital with complications of the cirhossis when the liver was donated. My fears were for nothing, no preparations needed!!! praise the Lord!
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