Living Life after your Transplant

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Jul 4, 2016

I would like to ask you to share ideas about how you 'live' after your transplant. For example: hand washing and germ prevention, eating out; attending public events; daily medicine reminder......Practical living; not the medical things. I would like to share an idea for hand shakes.

I am 7 years out from my transplant and I have had some time to implement some healthy practices that work for me. I have also been fortunate to have the support and directives from my post transplant team at Mayo Clinic as well as working as a volunteer with my local organ donor association.
Last week I met a woman, a liver recipient, at an organ donor event. When we were introduced, she reached out to shake my hand. She was 9 years post transplant. She was both surprised and pleased that I did not extend my right hand to shake hers. Instead, I used the American Sign Language hand sigh for 'Peace' . She had been struggling for a long time with this awkward situation.

PEACE: Place the right flat hand on the left flat hand at chest level; then place the left on the right. Now move both flat hands down and to the sides with palms down. Pass from one position to another smoothly and continuously.

I hope this helps you as it helped her. Rosemary

++++NOTE++++
Did you know that the words shared by members in this discussion have helped many?
What started out as a discussion in the Transplant Group was transformed into this blog post:

– Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/

A conversation of thousands of words was organized into a concise, very practical list of tips. Tips by recipients for recipients (and their supporters).

But member wisdom didn't stop there. Look at the video the writers and producers of the Mayo Clinic app made to get your tips in front of many more.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Jul 30, 2017

In reply to @powderpuf "What type of transplant did you have?" + (show)

I have type 1 dibetes and most of the associated complications. I had a pancreas transplant in 2005. Now I am on the list for a kidney transplant but I'm also looking for a living donor. Rosemary & Colleen I liked the dscription & video of the ASL sign for peace. This is funny (to me) but it is very similar to the sign my grandkids use for "all done" at meal times. "All Done" might indeed be an appropriate expression in some circumstances! When I meet or greet people I often just wave, fist bump, pat their shoulder/arm, high five, nod & smile etc with minimal touching depending on what seems right at the time.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 30, 2017

In reply to @powderpuf "What type of transplant did you have?" + (show)

@cehunt57, It is nice to hear from you. Your grandkids sound like darlings! I think that you make a great point - anything works with a smile 🙂
Rosemary

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 30, 2017

In reply to @powderpuf "What type of transplant did you have?" + (show)

@cehunt57, There are some members discussing kidney transplant on out Kidney Transplant forum. I know they would enjoy talking with you.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-1/

Rosemary

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 15, 2018

@beach757, I am linking you to this discussion. Is this the discussion that you are trying to locate?
-and-
It is also posted as a blog: Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/

We welcome any comments or questions from you.
Rosemary

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 29, 2019

@rosemarya @coastalgirl @2011panc @bsox1901 @contentandwell @linda59 @dave12 @peterm53 @ca426 @ca426 Did you know that your words have helped many?

What started out as a discussion in the Transplant Group was transformed into this blog post:

- Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/

A conversation of thousands of words was organized into a concise, very practical list of tips. Tips by recipients for recipients (and their supporters).

But your wisdom didn't stop there. Look at the video the writers and producers of the Mayo Clinic app made to get your tips in front of many more.

This video is shared with hundreds if not thousand of patients via the Mayo Clinic app and was also uploaded to Mayo's YouTube channel here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ev221U7jaU

Many thangs to all who took part.
Enjoy it. Be proud of it. Share it.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jan 29, 2019

In reply to @colleenyoung "@rosemarya @coastalgirl @2011panc @bsox1901 @contentandwell @linda59 @dave12 @peterm53 @ca426 @ca426 Did you know that your words..." + (show)

Thanks for sharing this. It is really neat!
I could never have imagined that this would be the outcome of a supportive conversation between friends.

Great teamwork everybody!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 12, 2020

Many of you have connected with heart transplant recipient @danab. Dana is our featured member this week in Member Spotlights. Get to know learn more about what makes Dana and his new heart tick:

- Connect Feels Like Home with a Heart: Meet @danab https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/connect-feels-like-home-with-a-heart-meet-danadb/

Follow the About Connect blog to be notified when a new Member Spotlight is posted: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 26, 2021

On July 4, 2016, this discussion was started as a place for members to share their ideas/their Tips/their hacks for Living and Enjoying Life after Transplant.
-Do you remember how you felt when you first received your transplant? -
-Were you overwhelmed with the new Rules and Regulations that you had to learn to live with?

July 4, 2021, we are approaching our re-entry into a new (post) COVID19 world.
-Are you feeling a sense of fear or hesitancy as the world around you begins to open up and return to normal?
-Do you feel pressured by family and friends to join in?

What are YOU doing to Live your Life with your Transplant in the re-opened, less restrictive post Covid world?
What TIPS would you like to share with other members?

NOTE: You will want to read thru the entire discussion for some fantastic TIPS!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 28, 2021

In reply to @rosemarya "On July 4, 2016, this discussion was started as a place for members to share their..." + (show)

Great idea to reignite this discussion, Rosemary.

I'd like to bring @jolinda @danab @dflyfisherman @azdan99 @nanmargaret @athenalee @benlam11 @jerrynord @lizzy102 @loribmt @estrada53 @jfk @scottij @andyp @silverwoman @kohlgryl079 into this discussion.

Please see Rosemary's post above and read through the discussion. What tips would you share with other members? Who else would you tag on this discussion?

silverwoman | @silverwoman | Jun 28, 2021

I'm happy to see the film clip resulting from our previous discussions, all good pieces of advice. Post Covid vaccination, with much of the rest of the world returning to normalcy, I am still being exceedingly cautious. I know I may not have very good immunity, if any, and I have learned that friends who I thought would be vaccinated have rejected the idea and remain a risk, very disappointing and dangerous for the immunosuppressed population. I had a great idea for a red dot in the middle of the forehead for the unvaccination and a green one for those who are vaccinated but apparently that is too politically incorrect and no one's getting on board with me; in Florida we aren't permitted to solicit proof of vaccination for some reason unknown to me. So, I continue to mask when outside my known circle and in any public place, to maintain a careful hand sanitizing routine and continue a fairly solitary existence, a small price to pay to continue to feel well and avoid the possibility fatal illness and organ ejection. My next project is to begin to do counted cross stitch embroidery again and to get a kitty cat for company.