Lung Transplant: What can I expect?

Do your research on the doctors and facilities. However, after you choose which one is best for you and that your insurance is accepted at (with no issues of renegotiations that might affect you), there is a battery of tests that you need to go through to see if you are a good candidate. This is so that you have the best outcome. The tests can take some time to do or if you are in bad shape by the time you get an appointment (like I was) they may rush the timing of all of the tests. I had 4 days of tests that I just pretty much spent the whole day at the hospital for tests. After all of the tests are done they evaluate your condition and may or may not put you on the wait list. Based on your condition is the number that you are given from 1 (perfect lungs) to 100 (pretty much its over). Most people receive a transplant from 35-50. I had a rank of 75. I had my double lung transplant and am able to do so many things I wasn't able to prior to the surgery.
Right now you might be contemplating, but you might get extremely worse quickly and not really have the time to consider where to go. So I would advise that you do the "leg work" now and then if you decide to withdraw later you have the option.

@vollenweider6154, I just read in the 'Snapshots of hope, Life on the other side of transplant' discussion that you are on the lung transplant list. I can understand the fears that you are experiencing as your health is affected while waiting and hoping for your transplant. You are noy alone in this.

I would like to invite you to meet @chickytina who is a lung transplant recipient. What would you like to know from her about her transplant experience?

Do your research on the doctors and facilities. However, after you choose which one is best for you and that your insurance is accepted at (with no issues of renegotiations that might affect you), there is a battery of tests that you need to go through to see if you are a good candidate. This is so that you have the best outcome. The tests can take some time to do or if you are in bad shape by the time you get an appointment (like I was) they may rush the timing of all of the tests. I had 4 days of tests that I just pretty much spent the whole day at the hospital for tests. After all of the tests are done they evaluate your condition and may or may not put you on the wait list. Based on your condition is the number that you are given from 1 (perfect lungs) to 100 (pretty much its over). Most people receive a transplant from 35-50. I had a rank of 75. I had my double lung transplant and am able to do so many things I wasn't able to prior to the surgery.
Right now you might be contemplating, but you might get extremely worse quickly and not really have the time to consider where to go. So I would advise that you do the "leg work" now and then if you decide to withdraw later you have the option.

Thank you for your reply! As a total newcomer, I am still learning how to use this Mayo Clinic system. I would very much welcome learning more from chickytina -- and from all of you, for that matter, especially if you/they may be in or near to Northern Virginia, which I where I live. Right now I am at the very, very beginning of just learning HOW to explore this process. My doctor in Arlington, VA, recommended that I strongly consider Temple University (near Philadelphia) for my evaluation as a candidate, but that's 2 hours away minimum by car. Another friend suggested I talk to other beginners, plus those who are already transplantees, or in the process of becoming one. This is why I signed up for this Mayo Clinic discussion group. In addition, I.m also talking to people at the AlphaNet Foundation who know the most about my genetic enzyme deficiency A1AT.

Thank you for your reply! As a total newcomer, I am still learning how to use this Mayo Clinic system. I would very much welcome learning more from chickytina -- and from all of you, for that matter, especially if you/they may be in or near to Northern Virginia, which I where I live. Right now I am at the very, very beginning of just learning HOW to explore this process. My doctor in Arlington, VA, recommended that I strongly consider Temple University (near Philadelphia) for my evaluation as a candidate, but that's 2 hours away minimum by car. Another friend suggested I talk to other beginners, plus those who are already transplantees, or in the process of becoming one. This is why I signed up for this Mayo Clinic discussion group. In addition, I.m also talking to people at the AlphaNet Foundation who know the most about my genetic enzyme deficiency A1AT.