@mnjp0623, The time allotted to arrive at the transplant center when you get the call is a difficult one to answer. So much depends on patients distance from hospital. I am a patient. Here is my an example from my experience:
I was initially listed with my regional liver center in Kentucky. When my husband asked the same question, the doctor asked him how long it took us to drive to the clinic (45 minutes) so the doctor told us that would be okay. Later, after I was transferred to Mayo in Rochester, we lived at the Gift of Life Transplant House which was several blocks away from the hospital. So the time of arrival for us was never really discussed and the transplant surgeon just told me to come on in to the hospital where nurses would be waiting for us.
I have heard of patients having 4 hours to drive, and even one patient who saw her organs arrive via med helicopter at the same time that she was arriving!
I wish that I could give you a precise amount of time, so much is going to depend on how far away you are living 'and the mode of transportation you will be using.
I know how anxious you are as you are looking toward your own call about your future liver transplant. Your own transplant team will be able to provide the best answer to this. When is your next appointment? Have you asked your own transplant team about timing your arrival?
@mnjp0623, The time allotted to arrive at the transplant center when you get the call is a difficult one to answer. So much depends on patients distance from hospital. I am a patient. Here is my an example from my experience:
I was initially listed with my regional liver center in Kentucky. When my husband asked the same question, the doctor asked him how long it took us to drive to the clinic (45 minutes) so the doctor told us that would be okay. Later, after I was transferred to Mayo in Rochester, we lived at the Gift of Life Transplant House which was several blocks away from the hospital. So the time of arrival for us was never really discussed and the transplant surgeon just told me to come on in to the hospital where nurses would be waiting for us.
I have heard of patients having 4 hours to drive, and even one patient who saw her organs arrive via med helicopter at the same time that she was arriving!
I wish that I could give you a precise amount of time, so much is going to depend on how far away you are living 'and the mode of transportation you will be using.
I know how anxious you are as you are looking toward your own call about your future liver transplant. Your own transplant team will be able to provide the best answer to this. When is your next appointment? Have you asked your own transplant team about timing your arrival?
My hubby is currently listed for a liver at Rochester. We live in Kansas City. We were told we have 8-10 hours to arrive when we get the call. We have a 5.5 hour drive with no stops, our plan is to get on the road within 1 hour of the call and make short quick potty breaks.
I have had 2 liver transplants over the past 24 years at 2 different transplant clinics near me from two different deceased donors that were near me. I am fortunate to live within 1 hour of either center so I drove in. In each case it was a bit different. LifeBanc is the organization that coordinared and handled my organ pickup/delivery. We have the Transplant House within 10 minutes of both centers where out of town family members can stay for patients. UNOS is the national center that controls and coordinates transplant policies and rules. There are 11 regions for organ coordination within the US. As I mentioned before, mine is Lifebanc. You can find out yours also by asking your transplant center or looking it up on UNOS.com. I now volunteer for LifeBanc and give presentations for organ donation. You will also have a transplant coordinator ( a RN or PA) at your center who is your first line contact for any questions. Another item is each organ has different transport timings allowed. That can also be looked up at UNOS.com. Example: Last time I looked a liver , it has up to 24 hours to be harvested and transplanted into the recipient where as a heart was 4 hours. On UNOS I also figured out how to guesstimate my waiting position on the list for my liver in my region with some of the organ matching criteria. It took a bit to research this one. And the last item, there are live donors transplants that capable for both livers and kidneys if you have a live donor that passes the matching requirements that cuts down the wait time.
I think you will find that different transplant centers have different criteria. When my husband was waiting for his kidney transplant, he was about 100 miles away from the center. When they called him in, he wanted to wait for me to drive to him; I was 100 miles in the other direction. The transplant center, said "no, get in here now".
Good luck on this journey! It can be life-changing.
Ginger
I was transplanted at Mayo (Rochester) in November of 1992. Back then we were told we had to be within 6 hours of them to be on their list. That may have changed in the last 31+ years thought.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
@mnjp0623, The time allotted to arrive at the transplant center when you get the call is a difficult one to answer. So much depends on patients distance from hospital. I am a patient. Here is my an example from my experience:
I was initially listed with my regional liver center in Kentucky. When my husband asked the same question, the doctor asked him how long it took us to drive to the clinic (45 minutes) so the doctor told us that would be okay. Later, after I was transferred to Mayo in Rochester, we lived at the Gift of Life Transplant House which was several blocks away from the hospital. So the time of arrival for us was never really discussed and the transplant surgeon just told me to come on in to the hospital where nurses would be waiting for us.
I have heard of patients having 4 hours to drive, and even one patient who saw her organs arrive via med helicopter at the same time that she was arriving!
I wish that I could give you a precise amount of time, so much is going to depend on how far away you are living 'and the mode of transportation you will be using.
I know how anxious you are as you are looking toward your own call about your future liver transplant. Your own transplant team will be able to provide the best answer to this. When is your next appointment? Have you asked your own transplant team about timing your arrival?
houe
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsNext appointment tomorrow I will ask them then thank you
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@mnjp0623, you might also be interested in these related discussions:
- Packing question: What did you have ready for "the call"? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/packing-question/
- Waiting for the Call: What needs to get done at home before you go?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/waiting-for-the-call-what-needs-to-get-done-at-home-before-you-go/
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsFantastic! Im interested to hear what they say.
I will let you know
My hubby is currently listed for a liver at Rochester. We live in Kansas City. We were told we have 8-10 hours to arrive when we get the call. We have a 5.5 hour drive with no stops, our plan is to get on the road within 1 hour of the call and make short quick potty breaks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsI have had 2 liver transplants over the past 24 years at 2 different transplant clinics near me from two different deceased donors that were near me. I am fortunate to live within 1 hour of either center so I drove in. In each case it was a bit different. LifeBanc is the organization that coordinared and handled my organ pickup/delivery. We have the Transplant House within 10 minutes of both centers where out of town family members can stay for patients. UNOS is the national center that controls and coordinates transplant policies and rules. There are 11 regions for organ coordination within the US. As I mentioned before, mine is Lifebanc. You can find out yours also by asking your transplant center or looking it up on UNOS.com. I now volunteer for LifeBanc and give presentations for organ donation. You will also have a transplant coordinator ( a RN or PA) at your center who is your first line contact for any questions. Another item is each organ has different transport timings allowed. That can also be looked up at UNOS.com. Example: Last time I looked a liver , it has up to 24 hours to be harvested and transplanted into the recipient where as a heart was 4 hours. On UNOS I also figured out how to guesstimate my waiting position on the list for my liver in my region with some of the organ matching criteria. It took a bit to research this one. And the last item, there are live donors transplants that capable for both livers and kidneys if you have a live donor that passes the matching requirements that cuts down the wait time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsI think you will find that different transplant centers have different criteria. When my husband was waiting for his kidney transplant, he was about 100 miles away from the center. When they called him in, he wanted to wait for me to drive to him; I was 100 miles in the other direction. The transplant center, said "no, get in here now".
Good luck on this journey! It can be life-changing.
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was transplanted at Mayo (Rochester) in November of 1992. Back then we were told we had to be within 6 hours of them to be on their list. That may have changed in the last 31+ years thought.
Peace
God Bless
Joe K.
Committe deciding today on my approval once on list 2 options transplant or treat cancerous lesion on liver to prevent future complications
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions