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This and That and Talk - My Transplant
Transplants | Last Active: Aug 14, 2024 | Replies (1677)Comment receiving replies
@mickj my husband wasn't interested in eating the last few months either. He ate a lot of cereal and white rice. Maybe try those? They are easier to digest and seemed to be tolerated well.
We were actually planning a family trip to the zoo, but got the call the evening before. (9:15 pm) We took off on the 5 hour drive to the hospital. He didn't transplant until 5:00 pm the following evening due to the lung transplant team being delayed. (They have to take the lungs first.)
My husband hasn't written to the donor family yet. He was ready to right after his transplant, but now he is more hesitant. It's just such a huge gift that thank you just doesn't seem enough. We will sit down and write the letter in the future, I'm certain.
Blessings,
JoDee
Replies to "@mickj my husband wasn't interested in eating the last few months either. He ate a lot..."
@jodeej Did your transplant center give you examples of letters? I think that can be helpful. If not I would be happy to scan them in and put them out here. Also, my center recommended not writing immediately since the family's grief is so raw then, so it's probably best that he has not written yet.
Honestly, it was the most difficult thing I ever had to write in my life. How do you express extreme gratitude and sympathy all at the same letter? Not easy.
JK
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@jodeej My deal with eating has less to do with no appetite and more to do with staying away from sugars in all of its forms, with the exception of fruits and veggies. And digestion has not been an issue. I've just been a zealot these first few months, and it's probably not very wise or sustainable. But the bummer is that I feel so dang good. Slowly but surely, I'll add some starches as you suggest, but no doubt it will be gradual.
Another interesting thing that has happened to me is that I've got in the habit of limiting my sodium, which I was told to do for the year and a half that I was sick prior to transplant. Under 2 grams was my marching orders. Well, in true zealot fashion, I figured less is better, so I got in the habit of limiting sodium to 1 gram/day. I'm still doing that today, and I don't really have to. In fact, I've been encouraged to bump that up, but I'm so accustomed to not having that sodium taste in my food, adding more is a bit of a chore. Once again, oh the problems I have, right?
I completely understand the deal about writing a donor letter. I, too, wanted to write the letter right after transplant as I was so full of gratitude. For one reason or another, I waited. I've actually written a letter, but I'm holding off on sending it until after the holidays.