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Changes after Transplant

Posted by 2011panc @2011panc, Nov 22, 2016

I have learned that following a transplant there are many changes beyond your physical situation. What is your experience? Has your mood changed? Are you happier, calmer, more agitated, more anxious, more relaxed or something else? Do you feel you have changed emotionally, spiritually or mentally? Do you feel that your personality has changed? I am curious about more than physical. I appreciate your input on this issue.

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Charlie | @ca426 | Jul 9, 2019

2015 and they were substantial, more than I expected but I have to clarify. I've had four transplants, so my chemistry was different already .

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twocatmama | @twocatmama | Jul 9, 2019

Well good luck with the last, I can imagine depression with so many failed transplants.

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Jul 19, 2019

Hi i just found this thread and my Heart Transplant was 5 Jan 2018. Problebly the biggest change is retirement. I had a very physical job that requires a lot of driving to remote locations. My employer had no problem granting me a disability retirement early at 58. I really loved my job but i soon realized that the Lord God had other plans for me. I have become very active in my Church and have started Livestreaming our services and maintaining our website. I find it very rewarding. We are reaching people around the world. Even tho i have had a few setbacks manly with viruses i have an awesome heart that is working well. My other interests inclide Golf and Hiking. Im still working on getting my strength back up to a level that i can handle some more difficult hikes but time is on my side. I do hope and pray someday to hear back from my donors family and learn more about him or her. But i do realize it can take time and maybe i may never hear. I just know i got a good one and it was well taken care of. When it comes to food changes i haven't knoticed any. I pretty much still love the same foods. I do miss a few foods I can't have now but i doing okay. Thanks for all the great folks on connect it so nice having all you to talk to about life after transplant.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 19, 2019
In reply to @danab "Hi i just found this thread and my Heart Transplant was 5 Jan 2018. Problebly the..." + (show)
@danab

Hi i just found this thread and my Heart Transplant was 5 Jan 2018. Problebly the biggest change is retirement. I had a very physical job that requires a lot of driving to remote locations. My employer had no problem granting me a disability retirement early at 58. I really loved my job but i soon realized that the Lord God had other plans for me. I have become very active in my Church and have started Livestreaming our services and maintaining our website. I find it very rewarding. We are reaching people around the world. Even tho i have had a few setbacks manly with viruses i have an awesome heart that is working well. My other interests inclide Golf and Hiking. Im still working on getting my strength back up to a level that i can handle some more difficult hikes but time is on my side. I do hope and pray someday to hear back from my donors family and learn more about him or her. But i do realize it can take time and maybe i may never hear. I just know i got a good one and it was well taken care of. When it comes to food changes i haven't knoticed any. I pretty much still love the same foods. I do miss a few foods I can't have now but i doing okay. Thanks for all the great folks on connect it so nice having all you to talk to about life after transplant.

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@danab I didn't hear back from my donor's family for almost a year, and then they gave me a lot of detail about her. Honestly, I almost wish I didn't know as much as I now do. It makes me very sad to know all that I know, I almost feel like I knew her. That is compounded by the fact that she was the same age as my daughter, had the same name, the same general profession, and was similar in size. I just think about how I would feel if it had been my daughter and feel overwhelmed with sadness for her husband and parents at times.
JK

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2 replies
2011panc | @2011panc | Jul 19, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@danab I didn't hear back from my donor's family for almost a year, and then they..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@danab I didn't hear back from my donor's family for almost a year, and then they gave me a lot of detail about her. Honestly, I almost wish I didn't know as much as I now do. It makes me very sad to know all that I know, I almost feel like I knew her. That is compounded by the fact that she was the same age as my daughter, had the same name, the same general profession, and was similar in size. I just think about how I would feel if it had been my daughter and feel overwhelmed with sadness for her husband and parents at times.
JK

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@contentandwell I am glad to know my donor's family. They shared quite a lot and we keep in touch. I have come to terms with the fact that she was just starting her adult life. I know from her family that she wanted to donate her organs and they followed through with her wishes. She did nothing to bring on her own death, it was a tragic accident that helped improve the lives of many living people. This young woman could have been my daughter and I would have loved that. As it is, her family is consoled knowing how many people have been, are and will be helped by her donations. Knowing that they are proud of her accomplishments has helped me lose any feeling of guilt over accepting her donation.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 19, 2019
In reply to @2011panc "@contentandwell I am glad to know my donor's family. They shared quite a lot and we..." + (show)
@2011panc

@contentandwell I am glad to know my donor's family. They shared quite a lot and we keep in touch. I have come to terms with the fact that she was just starting her adult life. I know from her family that she wanted to donate her organs and they followed through with her wishes. She did nothing to bring on her own death, it was a tragic accident that helped improve the lives of many living people. This young woman could have been my daughter and I would have loved that. As it is, her family is consoled knowing how many people have been, are and will be helped by her donations. Knowing that they are proud of her accomplishments has helped me lose any feeling of guilt over accepting her donation.

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@2011panc The similarities to my own daughter, plus the fact that she was mishandled by the ER she went to, do burden me. She sounded like a very lovely young woman. She should not have died. My daughter wanted to be my donor but that did not work out.

Her parents were very gracious when they responded to me. It sounds as if her widower is really struggling with her death.
JK

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2011panc | @2011panc | Jul 19, 2019

@contentandwell it is always difficult when a death occurs after medical error. I am sorry her widower is struggling. I suspect everyone that knew her is struggling with the fact of her death. In my opinion, the best way we can honor her death is to remember how many people were helped by her passing and thank her for every extra day we have. We did not cause her death and those that bear responsibility will have to answer for themselves. We do her an injustice by focusing on the wrongness of her death rather than on gratitude for the gifts she provided with her passing.

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@danab I didn't hear back from my donor's family for almost a year, and then they..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@danab I didn't hear back from my donor's family for almost a year, and then they gave me a lot of detail about her. Honestly, I almost wish I didn't know as much as I now do. It makes me very sad to know all that I know, I almost feel like I knew her. That is compounded by the fact that she was the same age as my daughter, had the same name, the same general profession, and was similar in size. I just think about how I would feel if it had been my daughter and feel overwhelmed with sadness for her husband and parents at times.
JK

Jump to this post

@ contentandwell I'm sorry that it was not such a great revelation. I remember when i got the Heart i did go thru a guilt complex for a few days. Until my pastor talked to me and reassured me that no matter what your doner was not going to live anyway. I kept feeling like someone has to die for me to live. But i was thinking backwards. They were going to die anyway and at least for there family something good came out of it. I can see where the fact that she was your daughter age would be a tough. Thanks for sharing

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