1. < Transplants

Transplant Evaluation - What to expect

Posted by bamagirlgina @bamagirlgina, Mar 12, 2018

We received a call today from Mayo-Jax saying our referral had been approved for transplant evaluation and to schedule an appointment. We were told to expect to say up to 3 weeks for testing every day, the entire day. We were not expecting that long of an evaluation and told them we would call back tomorrow after we looked into travel/lodging arrangements. We will plan to stay the entire 3 weeks but just wondering what the general time frame it was for most people. Did it usually take the entire three weeks? And can someone give me an idea of the battery of tests/evaluations that will be included. Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 4, 2018
In reply to @dorifg "I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May..." + (show)
@dorifg

I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May for 4 days and yes I am excited but scared too. I am not a fan of invasive tests and the thought of tests like a colonoscopy are freaking me out a little 🙂 I had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 1994 and after 22 years the kidney failed. The pancreas is still working so I am still taking immunosuppressants. This year I have also developed some gastroparesis so it has been a challenge to find food I can eat especially when I have no appetite. Some days I only have protein drinks and I have little energy due to low calorie intake. So I am also worried about fasting for a lot of these tests too. But I will do what I have to do and hopefully will get good results from all the tests.

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Speaking of exercise, there is a great discussion in the Health Living group called:
- Staying Motivated for the Long Haul https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/staying-motivated-for-the-long-haul/

Several of the transplant members of Connect are taking part in this discussion. I invite you to join us there and get the chat and healthy living support going again. Exercise, drinking water and eating well are easier when you have people doing it with you.

REPLY
jeanne5009 | @jeanne5009 | May 4, 2018
In reply to @dorifg "I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May..." + (show)
@dorifg

I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May for 4 days and yes I am excited but scared too. I am not a fan of invasive tests and the thought of tests like a colonoscopy are freaking me out a little 🙂 I had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 1994 and after 22 years the kidney failed. The pancreas is still working so I am still taking immunosuppressants. This year I have also developed some gastroparesis so it has been a challenge to find food I can eat especially when I have no appetite. Some days I only have protein drinks and I have little energy due to low calorie intake. So I am also worried about fasting for a lot of these tests too. But I will do what I have to do and hopefully will get good results from all the tests.

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@colleenyoung
Need to be involved in this. .Putting on weight like crazy. How many calories does Lactalose have? LOL
Evaluation is the week of June 11. Have tried many approaches and am hoping Mayo can help me.

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 10, 2018
In reply to @dorifg "I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May..." + (show)
@dorifg

I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May for 4 days and yes I am excited but scared too. I am not a fan of invasive tests and the thought of tests like a colonoscopy are freaking me out a little 🙂 I had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 1994 and after 22 years the kidney failed. The pancreas is still working so I am still taking immunosuppressants. This year I have also developed some gastroparesis so it has been a challenge to find food I can eat especially when I have no appetite. Some days I only have protein drinks and I have little energy due to low calorie intake. So I am also worried about fasting for a lot of these tests too. But I will do what I have to do and hopefully will get good results from all the tests.

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@jeanne5009, I think that your transplant team will be able to give you some good weight control and healthy eating advice.

I invite you anytime to join us to Stay motivated as Colleen posted.
Rosemary

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 19, 2018

@dorifg, I want you to know that I am thinking of you. I hope you are doing well and that the evaluation process is going smoothly for you.
Rosemary

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018

@bamagirlgina This is truly an informative thread. Though I initiated the donor process May 29 I'm not far enough in to it to even ask about some of these questions although I'm trying to interactively journal experience through " Transplant- Journey From the Donors Side" to share with anyone who may be interested. What I have learned is there are as many different experiences as there are donors & recipients. There are also many related threads to get the bigger picture that is impossible to achieve through literature. Thank you so much for sharing.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@bamagirlgina when my husband went for his transplant eval it was 4 full days. I believe..." + (show)
@jodeej

@bamagirlgina when my husband went for his transplant eval it was 4 full days. I believe he had 23 appointments that week! It was very tiring. They draw blood, do renal testing, CT scans, MRI, EKG's, lung function..you name it, they test it. They have to be sure you are able to handle the surgery and that you don't have anything else going on. They don't want any surprises. We were able to stay at the Gift of Life house in Rochester while he was being tested. It helps save on lodging, plus we are able to cook our own meals and not have to eat out all the time. Another plus of staying there are all the other people that understand exactly what you are going though.
I wish you the best of luck!
JoDee

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@jodeej Every time I read something you have posted I am delighted. Your combined sincerity & sensitivity is amazing.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @bamagirlgina "@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3..." + (show)
@bamagirlgina

@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3 weeks. I did contact Gabriel House today and right now the have availability...hopefully they will still tomorrow once I call about the appt. Trying to get an appt date at Mayo and Gabriel House in tandum is tricky. We considered taking our travel trailer over but the closest campground was at least 30 minutes drive away. Since Gabriel House has shuttle service that would be one less stressor to have to worry about (not to mention dragging the camper over, setting it up, etc.) Fingers crossed Mayo still has April 11 open when I call in the morning and that after that Gabriel House still has availability.

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@bamagirlgina I'm trying to work around the primary school summer schedule but now I realize that may not be possible. It is time to realistically consider alternate arrangements. Thanks again for sharing.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @bamagirlgina "@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3..." + (show)
@bamagirlgina

@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3 weeks. I did contact Gabriel House today and right now the have availability...hopefully they will still tomorrow once I call about the appt. Trying to get an appt date at Mayo and Gabriel House in tandum is tricky. We considered taking our travel trailer over but the closest campground was at least 30 minutes drive away. Since Gabriel House has shuttle service that would be one less stressor to have to worry about (not to mention dragging the camper over, setting it up, etc.) Fingers crossed Mayo still has April 11 open when I call in the morning and that after that Gabriel House still has availability.

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@jodeej I understand your post refers to Rochester but do you know if the same applies to Mayo Jax?

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @bamagirlgina "@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3..." + (show)
@bamagirlgina

@jodeej - Thanks for the information. Hopefully we will not have to stay the entire 3 weeks. I did contact Gabriel House today and right now the have availability...hopefully they will still tomorrow once I call about the appt. Trying to get an appt date at Mayo and Gabriel House in tandum is tricky. We considered taking our travel trailer over but the closest campground was at least 30 minutes drive away. Since Gabriel House has shuttle service that would be one less stressor to have to worry about (not to mention dragging the camper over, setting it up, etc.) Fingers crossed Mayo still has April 11 open when I call in the morning and that after that Gabriel House still has availability.

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@bamagirlgina What a wonderful post. You express such a positive picture that it makes me feel like the pressures of scheduling, lodging & travel are mere ripples in a beautiful life transforming journey. I'm so thankful for your candid thoughts on the challenging aspects as well.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@bamagirlgina, In addition to @jodeej 's actual description, I want to share this link to Mayo's..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@bamagirlgina, In addition to @jodeej 's actual description, I want to share this link to Mayo's test/procedure information. You will find a section for Evaluation if scroll down the page.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-transplant/about/pac-20384842
Rosemary

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@rosemarya Wow a double recipient - it is no wonder that you are so good about sharing such informative links which I click everytime. Thanks for sharing.

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