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Heart Transplant: what are the first 6-8 weeks after hospital like?
Transplants | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
Hello, thanks so much for your thoughtful reply and for sharing your experience! My husband is thinking about doing cardiac rehab, and he has an initial appointment that's coming up pretty soon. One of the things we're still trying to figure out is how much exertion is too much. We keep accidentally doing too much activity, and then he's really exhausted the next day. Too much activity may mean grocery shopping/cooking together or walking too much without realizing it was too much. Maybe cardiac rehab can help with this type of issue - helping him better pace himself on activity? If you or anyone has guidance on this, we'd appreciate it. I know my hubby is also looking forward to driving again soon. Many thanks!
Replies to "Hello, thanks so much for your thoughtful reply and for sharing your experience! My husband is..."
@nala1
I am thrilled to hear that you and your husband are at home!
I'd like to add my experience to all of the already shared expert knowledge of other transplant recipients.
I am a liver and kidney transplant recipient. It has been 17 years since I received my transplant, and I can still remember that 1st night - at home, in my own bed!!! I also remember that my husband and I needed to be patient and not rush as I needed time to continued to heal while regaining my strength. It did/does not happen in a few weeks and is different for each of us.
Here are some things that I learnd along the way:
-Be selective with activities - It is OK to say NO to major responsibilities for a while.
-Learn to listen to your body beause it will let you know if you are overdoing things. Then, try to remember what your limits are.
-It is OK to take a nap and to take days off for rest. I learned that it can take me twice as long to recover from a busy day, a hike, a common cold, a bruise or minor injury than it did before my transplant. Patience!
-Follow the advice of your transplant team.
-Celebrate your achievements along the way!
@nala1, I wish your husband well on his upcoming appointment!
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@nala1 good news on your husbands new heart ❤️ i wish my father would have looked into it but was afraid of hospitals and it cost his life at 55 , Myself I am a 3 years post liver transplant patient that had it done when I was 63 , I was in ICU for 7 months during the whole ordeal so I get the wanting to get checked out. My advice is take it very slowly, I had to because I had to learn how to walk again that took months . I actually went back to work after 6 months post as a plumber. I wish I hadn’t because I ended back in the hospital with another major surgery after getting a hernia across my surgical scar . 2 1/2 years later of recovery I finally could go swimming a mile a day I decided plumbing after 45 years I was done. Diet is huge for my health, avoid fast food, and anything processed. I use a heath app when grocery shopping called Yuka which I highly recommend plus you doctor hopefully gave you the list. Getting any transplant no matter what , the key is live your life to the fullest and be patient with recovery ❤️🩹 after being on 26 different medications I’m down to 2 .