This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@mauraacro, I am in agreement with your thoughts about the need to hear from others who have experienced the donor surgery.

I wish I knew why there is a lack of sharing; that is why I became involved with Mayo Connect - to share, talk, encourage. I really think that a lot of people are just hesitant put it in words. I sincerely thank you for your plan to share!

Before my transplant (deceased donor) I was blessed with a RN girlfriend who was available to talk to me face-to-face about such deeply personal yet simple issues. But that was for my original plan of a 'simple' liver transplant surgery. If I can be on any immediate comfort, I experienced great 'everyday' living help from the nurses who cared for me on 10-2 Transplant floor of Mayo Methodist after my surgery and prepared me to get out of hospital and manage on my own.
They, along with my post transplant nurse, were awesome. I think that one of the biggest concerns was that I not lift or vacuum (Yea) and not to drive for a while. So I guess it depends on the size and strength of your dog. Mostly it is how you will feel - your body will tell you a whole lot!

I think it is normal to want to avoid thinking about surgery. Remember that the team at Mayo is the best.
Have you considered keeping a mini journal of your thoughts before and after all of this? My situation was different, but I kept one, and it is priceless to me now.

Now I am about to do something that is really awkward for me to do, and that is to share something about me that I wrote about waiting for my own transplant. Even though we are at opposite ends of the transplant experience, you might find comfort to know that you are not alone. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/staying-positive-while-waiting-for-a-transplant/
Rosemary

@rosemarya Thanks Rosemary. I am looking forward to being able to spend some more time online also. I am so far behind now that I think I need to delete most posts unless they are directed to me.

The “transplantiversary” was a special day. It also was the day that my daughter’s Indian in-laws chose to have an Indian ceremony close to their home in upstate NY so it was fairly overshadowed by that but my son-in-law, future son-in-law at the time, did do a nice toast to me at the luncheon following the ceremony.

Frankly, this has been a tough time for me so I am not sorry to see the holidays over, except that my son and daughter are gone now of course. If I sound like a cantankerous old person, it’s because I am right now!

JK

@rosemarya Thank you for asking about me. I am enjoying the holidays more this year than I have for many years. My husband teased me about wrapping gifts for 3 weeks, but I love the getting ready and planning. We celebrated several times, with one of my brothers and his family, my mother, one of my son's staff, a good friend and her family, and my other son and his roommate. Then we had a little after Christmas celebration at Rochester.

I actually have not been doing well since August and that is why I have been quiet. I don't like to complain and I couldn't think of anything except my pain, so I kept to myself. I had been taking physical therapy and it was gong really well, but in August I developed severe back pain. It went quickly from a suspected strained muscle to back surgery and fusion, which my insurance refused to subsidize. The interim months have been spent in pain and appeals until I decided to go to Rochester and have them assess everything. We got home late last night. The goodish news is that I am not a candidate for surgery, even though that would take care of the pain. The better news is that a Pain Management Clinic will be able to use medial blocks and ablation if necessary to relieve my pain. I am happy to be able to use a pain clinic 2 hours away rather than the 10 that Rochester is, and I am very much looking forward to less pain within (hopefully) 3 months. I have so many things I want done and to do that have just been left lying around because I have so much pain every day. And now I am relieved to be home and able to rest and sleep in my chair with little pain. I cannot even lie in bed because of my current pain.

I have many things to look forward to in the new year and am already planning to move forward into them stiffly but painlessly! We already have one new baby and another is on the way in 2 months, and a nephew's wedding in the fall. My husband retired 2 weeks ago, so we have his free time to look forward to also. I wasn't sure his retirement would go well, but so far it is going quite well indeed.

Despite my health issues and the anxiety I have had, I am joyful with the life I have been given and happy to look forward to another year.

@mauraacro I am a recipient, however I have lived in a cold environment all my life. My suggestion for loose fitting clothing is to get some heavy tights or leggings (thigh-highs) and layer them with a mid-calf petticoat and dress. Denim dresses are great for not letting too much wind through. You probably think it's crazy to wear a skirt in cold weather, but if your legs are covered the skirt will trap your body heat and keep you warmer than even thermal underwear or clothing. If possible, get a coat that is at least thigh length. I wear a double-layer wool cape. Wool does let some wind through, but even if it gets wet, it still keeps you warm. I also recommend a hood on your coat and a scarf. I use a long cotton scarf that I can either wrap over my head and around my neck or half and wrap around my neck with the end pulled through the loop. Trust me on this. I know.

I am imagining how I would feel on a plane trip and expect it will be quite uncomfortable as you will not be able to lean back or put your feet up. And your dog probably won't break your stitches, especially if they are staples, but he very well might make you feel quite poorly if he jumps anywhere on you or near your surgical site.

Good luck and God Bless you for your donation! hopefully some actual donors will have even better information for you.

@contentandwell I'm sure you will feel somewhat better with your daily schedule back to normal. I missed your posts.

Teresa

Thank you, @2011panc. This is helpful to all of us who are not accustomed to handling the cold Minnesota weather!
Stay Warm, everybody:-)
Rosemary

@2011panc, I am certain of one thing - that you WILL have a joyful 2018! Your attitude and your enthusiasm for life and for living it to the fullest is an inspiration. I appreciate and always welcome your updates. This is the kind of outlook that I feel all persons in any stage of transplant need to hear!
Thanks for taking part in our discussion:-)
Rosemary

@glinda, First, I want to send you to Mayo for your "annual" with my prayers and hopes that everything, especially your beautiful heart, are happy!

I have stayed at there, too. Had a great room that overlooked the Clinic and I enjoyed watching the activity of people in and out. In fact, I cried, because I remembered when I needed one of those wheelchairs (have you ever seen so many?) when I used to arrive by the shuttle. Depending on the length of our stay and availability, we may or may not stay at GOL.

I will be thinking of you as you take on the appointment marathon! It still amazes me how Mayo can be so efficient with the schedule and results.

I once had a doctor in Liver transplant, who stayed later one day to see me, so we could begin our drive home to Kentucky before a predicted morning snowstorm:-)
Rosemary

Thank you for your cold weather advice! I wear a lot of dress and skirts but didn't think about the thigh high option. I think with the popularity of leggings and yoga pants, I can probably find quite a few things to wear that will be comfortable. The recipient made my flight reservations and I will have quite a few days after surgery before I need to get on a plane. I am grateful for that!

@fauneconner, I want to introduce you to @mauraacro. Like you, she is about to donate one of her kidneys. And is also preparing for her trip to Mayo Rochester.
Do you have any firsthand information that you can share with her? Or any suggestions?
Rosemary