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Living Donor: It's a huge responsibility
Transplants | Last Active: Jul 20, 2018 | Replies (112)Comment receiving replies
Six plus, years ago I received the gift of life, a liver transplant !
If it weren’t for my most generous donor and Mayo I’d not be here today, thank GOD !
In October I had my annual 6yr liver check up ( 21 appointments ). Not all of them were relating to my new liver, in fact everything regarding my transplant is going GREAT. I have a few other issues that the folks at Mayo are monitoring, treating, healing, and doing what ever miracle workers do.
Every year my wife and I look forward to our visit to Rochester and make a mini-vacation of it. For me life is going great and I pray that anyone afflicted with this disease will hang in there, follow the medical teams advice, and have the same results .
GOD BLESS !
Replies to "Six plus, years ago I received the gift of life, a liver transplant ! If it..."
@dank, Congratulations on your transplant! There are several other liver recipients who are members. I am a liver/kidney recipient. And my husband an I enjoy our annual trip to Rochester, too!
Thank you for sharing and for joining us on Mayo Clinic Connect!
Rosemary
@rosemarya It occurred to me that back when I was talking to Mayo about possibly dual listing there I thought they said that after the first couple of months my care could be transferred to Mass General Hospital. Is that not the way it is done, or do you go to Mayo because you do not have a transplant hospital close to you?
JK
@contentandwell, I do have a transplant hospital nearby, It is only 45 minute drive. That is where I was originally listed for my liver transplant. But, due to complications, they sent me to Mayo, and that is where I received my transplant.
Mayo monitors me from a distance, and I return annually for my check-up. Every year they give me a standing order for my labs, and then my PCP writes it for the local lab with instruction to fax to Mayo. I usually get labs drawn 7:30 AM and I can go to the lab and get a copy later that morning. I like to be sure that they did get faxed. I also have a tacrolimus lab kit that Mayo supplies - the phlebotomist only has to fill the tube, then I put it the kit and I drop it in the outgoing mail. If I mail it on Monday, Mayo has it in my system on Friday. My transplant nurse will contact me about medicine changes. It is an efficient process for us.
If I am hospitalized, or need ER care, the attending physician will communicate with Mayo transplant Dept via a 24hr phone line. And this has occurred on several occasions. I also can call 24-7 when I need to.
We never considered transferring my care to local because of the level of care that Mayo was able provided for me. We return to Rochester annually for a 2 -3 day visit. I guess that someday, when the travel becomes too much, we will transfer to closer to home facility.
Rosemary
@dank, I hope that you continue to feel well, especially during this month of April which is celebrated as National Donate Life Month. I want to share an upcoming event, in case you are interested -Tuesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. CT for a behind-the-scenes look at the procurement process for a liver transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-and-behind-the-scenes-liver-transplant/
Rosemary
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@dank my transplant was at MGH. They very scrupulously avoid getting involved in anything not related to my transplant. I get the feeling that they do not want to step on the toes of the PCPs. I love my transplant surgeon and his team but I would not mind if they stuck their nose into other areas, my PCP has become useless. My one resolution for 2018 is to find a new PCP. I started researching that today.
JK