Liver transplants: Caregivers?

Posted by Curses @kmlowe, Jun 11 9:35pm

How did you or will you manage this? I have a team, primary and secondary live out of state, but I have three young adult sons to support, as well as a good friend locally and out of state. We’re planning how this will workout, but I know how plans never quite happening the way you thought they would.

Any insight, oh wise ones?

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brin | @brin | 4 days ago

Hi - do you mean that you have three young adults sons that you have to support or that they are supporting you?

Curses | @kmlowe | 3 days ago

To support ME! All adults, two are young adults, just 19 & 21.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | 3 days ago

Hi, @kmlowe.
Here are some discussions that will put you in contact with others like you, with unique caregiver situations/solutions.
- Need transplant, don't have a caregiver: How to find a caregiver?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-transplant-but-dont-have-a-caregiver/
--What was your caregiver situation while getting a transplant?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/caregivers-for-people-undergoing-transplants/
As you can see from the above discussions, you are not alone with having a unique caregiver situation. Have you discussed your situation with your transplant team?

jackiez | @jackiez | 3 days ago

I had to live in Rochester,MN for about 2 months after my transplant. We got a 2 BR apartment for before, during and after. Then my husband would come and stay a week, my parents the next week (we live almost 5 hours away from Rochester). As I got stronger and a bit more self sufficient, 3 different friends came and stayed for a long weekend at different times. This helped ‘spread the load’ a bit so the caregivers could still do their own Dr, dentist, hair appts, etc.

brin | @brin | 3 days ago

In reply to @kmlowe "To support ME! All adults, two are young adults, just 19 & 21." + (show)

That’s what I thought but was just checking.

From my caregiver (my spouse) their advice is make sure to have a local emergency back up just in case someone gets ill or life just intervenes. It may happen and it’s best to be prepared and takes stress off your caregivers. He interviewed and engaged a local “home health aide” service so they would already be available if something came up. Check if that’s possible in your area - it was not too costly.

Curses | @kmlowe | 2 days ago

This is all fabulous input! Spoke with the social worker at Mayo today, and sounds like we have a good plan. @brin - thank you for the suggestion of lining up a professional home help aide in advance! We can actually only plan so much - and nothing will ever likely go as planned!