@myson, I want to introduce you to Terri, @windwalker . Terri is one of our mentors, and she has a remarkable story of her own. I know she will be able to help you on this!
Rosemary

@myson Staying connected in the Mayo Connect groups is most definitly doable. As for going to a group support meeting & meeting with a nutrionist it may be possible since you plan on being in Jacksonville a few days. Both of them are accomadating so they may be able to squeeze you in. A phone call to your choice of interest is a good start because they quite often can refer you to resources in the event they cannot accomadate you. Chances are good that you will get to do both. Hopefully all will go well with you & yours

@myson Good morning. Rosemary indicated that you might need some help orchestrating a trip down to Jacksonville. I was just down there myself yesterday. I live in Bluffton, S.C. near Hilton Head. It is an easy 2 1/2 hr drive from where I live. How can I help you?

@myson Physically attending a support group will do your son a world of good, and you as well. It should definitely help you all emotionally. Meeting others who have already walked that walk , (transplantees) will bolster his confidence in going through with the surgery. You won't meet a finer bunch of people than those that are grateful to have a second chance at life. I was considered for a double lung transplant two years ago; I was terrified to say the least. Transplanting lungs is the most fragile and least surviveable of transplant surgeries. I attended the support group at Mayo in JAX, and my fears were calmed. I met many survivors, some at the 11 and 13 yr mark. Those support meetings are all about hope, courage, and gratitude. I have since recovered to a point with my disease that I am no longer being considered for a transplant. I was put a 'deferred list' which means put on a back burner, but at the ready if trouble arises. If you are looking for the lung transplant support group at Mayo, they meet on Tuesdays at 1:00 in the Mayo building. They usually have a speaker in there for an hour and then a little social time afterwards.

@myson, There is usually a social worker at Mayo for every group of transplant. Where are you guys in the process of the liver transplant? If your son is in the pre-qualifying testing stage, they will introduce you to the social worker for him as well as a nutricianist. At least that was my experience when I went through the testing.

@windwalker What a wonderful turn of health to be spared the most delicate of all transplants. I hope you continue to be healthy enough to live well without one. Grateful people are a true blessing & great mentors who shine for all of us. It is so uplifting to read about people who are living for decades. With liver transplants both living donor & recipient are required to meet & participate together. They surly must be glowing with the joy of success even through their tears & overcoming fears. These are the stories that bring others on board. Thank you for providing the day & time for meeting. Do you have to reregister or can you just show up?

@beckyjohnson You can just show up at the transplant support groups. Ask at the info desk for the location. At the Florida Mayo, it is in the Mayo Building, I believe it is on the second floor in a conference room. Thank you for your kind words. I am trying my best to hang onto my lungs and avoid a transplant.

@windwalker Thank you for sharing that. I'm planning on going there June 25th - 28th. In addition to transplant testing I'm hoping to tour Gabriel House, visit a support group (more if possible) and of course do some siteseeing. You are quite welcome. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. It is both a blessing & curse to be so open & honest. The curse: some people take this the wrong way; The blessing: there is never any doubt about where I stand; fun tip: we are all guilty of changing our mind about something for some reason or another