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Transplant stories that inspire: What's yours?
Good morning everyone! As everyone in this group has seen, stories from people who have been through transplant can be inspiring to those who are about to go through the process, and even to those who have been through it already. I thought maybe we should have a thread for entirely that topic - patient stories! You all can tell your stories here, and people like me who work for Mayo can post stories we think you might find interesting. Inspirational and caring stories and comments are what makes this group so special...Keep up the great work everyone!
Our first story to lead off this discussion is about Larry Rawdon. You may have heard about Larry before, as his story has been in the media many times. Larry had a double lung transplant and used the harmonica to strengthen his diaphragm and aid in his recovery. This technique worked so well for Larry, he now teaches harmonica lessons to other lung recipients to help them gain strength and recover more quickly. Read more about Larry's story:
HARMONICAS HELP TRANSPLANT PATIENTS LEARN TO BREATHE AGAIN
Every transplant recipient and donor has a story. What's yours?
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@rosemarya I was surprised at church at how many people did put out their hands to shake. There are churches that have come out and said not to shake hands, and that are only giving communion to a person's hand. It's a terrible flu season. they have also said to please stay home if you are not feeling well at all.
I know I plan to be wearing a mask in the airport and on the plane when we go to CA the first weekend in February (to watch the Superbowl with our son, regardless of which teams are playing, but of course we are hoping it will be the Patriots. My husband and son have had this tradition for years, this will be my first time that I will be joining them.). I actually got my husband to get a flu shot on Friday too, he never does. I read that in CA some hospitals have had to turn down patients because they are over filled!
JK
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3 Reactions@rosemarya that was a very inspirational story.i didn't know you have to always be conscious of that after a transplant but it was sure a blessing he understood and he told you a story of how a friend of his is still doing well after a transplant.
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2 ReactionsI have to say guys, I don't know how long post transplant but this is my 4th kidney and after my three month period, it was just as normal, now granted its flu season and we have to be carful but you just have to be conscious of keeping your hands away from your nose and mouth, I've always shaken hands, that's just me and I've only had the flu one time in 10 years , that's when I had half of my family, about seven people total and everybody was sick but two of us , be carful but enjoy life.
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3 Reactions@ca426, I myself am a 7 year heart transplant and I still try not to shake hands and both my son and daughter even though they are special needs understand that they can give mom a hig at anytime as long as they are not sick but no shaking of hands unless hands are washed and sanitized first with hand sanitizer and no kisses allowed unless asked I have had people come up and want to shake my hand or give me a hug and I have had to explain I don't do that because of my transplant but the prolpe I like the most that ask me are the kids as they are so affectionate but they seem to understand why i won't hug or shake their hands better thwn most adults do so for me its meeting new kids and helping them to understand about transplantation and good hand hygiene i just love them as they are so willing to learn and ask questions most adults won't ask
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1 ReactionGreat story, @rosemarya ! Teresa
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1 Reaction@contentandwell
Sounds like you "moved the mountain" if your husband got a flu shot! Good for him and you!! I hope you have fun in CA, I see so many people in public places wearing masks these days, that it is becoming much more the norm than it used to be.
Teresa
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2 Reactions@hopeful33250 Teresa. that's a good way of putting it. He swears he gets the flu every time he gets the shot. He told the pharmacist when he got it that it was less painful then listening to me nagging him. I have never been a nag which is one of the things he is grateful for about me but with our travel plans and knowing how bad it is in CA (everywhere really I guess) I thought it was important. He is 82 and although very healthy and is in virtually every way much younger than his chronological years, he is still 82.
JK
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2 Reactions@contentandwell Sometimes when you are really healthy, it is hard to see yourself succumbing to something like the flu.
Teresa
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2 Reactions@hopeful33250 this is true, and my husband is amazingly healthy. He does have a basal cell carcinoma on his nose right now that has to be tended to and he did have prostrate cancer but he is not on any medications at all. When he went to a new doctor last year and I accompanied him, the doctor practically fell off his seat! I make up for his lack of pills with all the ones I take. His parents lived pretty old, his mother in her 90s, and my parents both passed away in their 60s so I tell him I married him for his longevity genes, so they could be passed on to our children.
JK
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2 Reactions@ca426 I don't know the effectiveness of this and have not had the opportunity to test it, but I recently heard that a good home remedy for an ache or bruise is to place a raw onion slice on the area overnight (and possibly longer). For bacterial and viral infections the onion needs to have the ends cut off (leave the skin on) and be placed near the ill person. The people that shared this claim that the onion attracts any germs in the area and thus leaves you in a cleaner environment. The onion is a black mess but the people are healed. Also, they advise never to eat raw onion unless it has just been cleaned. I'm anxious to see if I can repeat this outcome. Perhaps I should try it for my sore back and see if it can fix my discs, misalignment, and arthritic bone spurs. lol
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