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@rarecandy02

Dana, I know this post is several years old, but I wanted to thank you because it is so helpful. I have a friend who is going on the heart transplant list at Mayo in Arizona as well. I live a few miles from there and would love to be his caregiver and help him but trying to figure out from a practical standpoint how to make it work.

Do you think it would be realistic to have a few different caregivers who alternate?

Thanks again and I'm so happy you got your heart transplant.

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Replies to "Dana, I know this post is several years old, but I wanted to thank you because..."

Hi rare candy, Yes on the multiple care givers. I had 2 my wife and daughter. But the important part is that the caregiver is available for the initial Appointments. You'll have to check on if both have to be there since in my case the primary was my wife and she went to every appointment. She actually stayed at the Hospital many days and nights in my case. They had a fold out chair that made into a bed. So my experience my not be typical. I'm pretty familiar with the transplant Doctors.at Mayo Arizona and they love questions to make sure your fully aware. Now as for my secondary of my Daughter she did not attend the appointments at all but was on standby if needed. She did visit the Hospital a few times but wasn't at any of the initial ones.
So by your question I'm thinking your thinking to play like a tag team and have multiple people actively attending to the care and going to appointments. You'll have to ask your team on that one. I know once the transplant is complete I can see having different drivers to take him to the hospital if and when the new heart arrives. And maybe the primary joining the patient at the Hospital after the fact. With me like I said I was already in the Hospital so it wasn't a call in type event. Probably best to ask the team. My gut tells.me.tho it won't be a problem and may suggest a couple of appointments where all the caregivers attend just to get instructions and ask questions. Hope that helps. Please keep me in the loop. And ask any questions you like.