← Return to What to Expect as a Transplant Caregiver

Newsfeed Post
Comment receiving replies
@danab

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.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hi rare candy, Yes on the multiple care givers. I had 2 my wife and daughter...."

Dana, thanks so much. Our situation is different as I’m not married to the person I’m going to be a caregiver for and I’m a single, working mom of a teenaged son. I actually used to work at Mayo! I can be the primary caregiver and plan to take leave from work to care for him and have him move in with us for as long as he needs but I am not sure that 24/7/365 is feasible or that a 12 week leave without pay is realistic. I can probably do at least 8, though! He does have some other reliable friends who are also willing to take part and my son and I have some good local support too.

I was feeling a little overwhelmed at first but once I learned that I can take an unpaid leave from work, the stress level went way down. I really do want to be there and I really want him to be able to get a heart.