@glinda That is wonderful!

@rosemarya The transplant recipients at Mayo, when they return yearly, have a battery of tests? I will be curious next year to see what is done when I return to MGH. I had my transplant in October 2016 and saw my surgeon weekly, then monthly, then every three months, until December but other than lab tests prior to my visit there were no other tests. I did have at some point some testing to check for pulmonary hypertension (CT?) and have regular MRIs to make sure the malignancies have not spread, but that's all, no other tests. What type of tests does Mayo do yearly?
JK

@contentandwell, Good question! I can only answer that from what I have experienced.

My instructions say to call about 12 weeks in advance to set up my appointment. And there is a protocol list for tests scheduled yearly, every 2 years, 3 years, etc. As a liver/kidney recipient, I feel sure that I have some things that a 'normal' liver recipient doesn't have.
Here is what I remember having: blood draw, urine test, 24 hour urine collection, renal clearance with dye, abdominal ultrasound, echocardiogram, chest x-ray, liver transplant nurse, records update, kidney transplant nurse / medical records review, records update, dermatology, sometimes bone density scan, and annual check by liver, then kidney doctor.(I get my mammogram and pap and colonoscopy done at home), sometimes BP nurse. I also get a kidney biopsy on certain years. Additional tests can be added if there is something that comes up during the visit. And any vaccine updates are scheduled, ie pneumonia, tetanus. I know there are protocol tests, and there are individualized tests depending on each person's needs.

Jane, I think that you are in a good place for your post transplant care. It sounds to me like you are being well monitored:-)
Rosemary

@rosemarya thanks for the information. As I look at your list I realize that many of these tests would be considered by the transplant department to fall outside of their realm. As I mentioned, they are loathe to step on the toes of other doctors a patient has, like the PCP. They will always monitor me for the possibility of malignancies but they leave it to the PCPs, endocronologists and whomever else to monitor other things not directly connected to transplant, like bone density, pap, colonoscopy. I do have a gastro at MGH who does my colonoscopies and endoscopies so they are in close communication. Different transplant centers just operate differently. Another thing that seems to be different at MGH is that prior to transplant you are a patient of a hepatologist. After transplant you no longer are involved with that doctor, the transplant team takes over.
JK