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!

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @jeanne5009 "Thanks for this great overview of what to expect. It relieves a lot of anxiety. My..." + (show)
@jeanne5009

Thanks for this great overview of what to expect. It relieves a lot of anxiety. My schedule has been pushed back until June 11th. That gives me a little more time to schedule everything. My daughter from NJ is meeting me in JaX and my other caregiver is going along too. Im more worried about how they will handle all of this..its a lot to absorb.
Will keep all of you in my prayers for being strong pioneers in this new journey..

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@2011panc This has me thinking about the possibility of qualified exchange housing akin to student exchange?

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @amlak "Hello, I just want tell you that my son had his transplant at Mayo in Jax..." + (show)
@amlak

Hello, I just want tell you that my son had his transplant at Mayo in Jax 2010 , Dec. This is the best place and support is great. There is a Second Chance Group that meets there every week and everyone is very helpful. Seek out Kristin Corlet and Steve Binder. They will be of big help in getting to know the area. We stayed at the Inn attached to Mayo. It is nice and you can try. Very convenient. We ended up renting an apartment on Kernan..I think.. and furnished it via Cort furniture after he was accepted for transplant. He received his transplant call within three weeks. We are blessed as this was a miracle.

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@amlak Were you able to get a monthly lease or did you have a minimum length of required time?

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @gaylea1 "@Rosemarya thank you for the reminder about the liver transplant procurement presentation. I worry so much..." + (show)
@gaylea1

@rosemarya thank you for the reminder about the liver transplant procurement presentation. I worry so much about this. I feel guilty knowing someone has passed to obtain a liver. There have been a few close matches but they have never been quite right for me. I wonder if others feel this way about receiving a liver transplant?

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@windwalker Thank you so much. I do appreciate that. My daughter & I discuss these kind of things regularly

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @mauraacro "That's so interesting, thank you. Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver..." + (show)
@mauraacro

That's so interesting, thank you.
Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver recipients & donors need to be close but for kidneys, they can be strangers. Off to search for answers.

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@mauraacro & @jodeej In that case does it mean liver transplants are more complicated than say kidney transplants? Surely it should aid in healing for all transplants. Theory: The bond is encouraging because both parties are a support system. Oops I forgot to @ it

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @mauraacro "That's so interesting, thank you. Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver..." + (show)
@mauraacro

That's so interesting, thank you.
Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver recipients & donors need to be close but for kidneys, they can be strangers. Off to search for answers.

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@donnan As a hopeful donor I can definitly say to know or not to know has been a recurring thought. There are pros & cons to each side plus myriads of reasons a donor may not be able to get back to you. One reason not to know that designates in my mind is "What if" my kidney caused unforseen problems or isn't working like expected or someone more personally known to me is now in need but I can't help them because I already gave and the reasons for not wanting to know is infinite. Although my preference is to know. Thanks for sharing.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@amlak I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@amlak
I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have found us and joined us. Your information about your experience at Mayo Jax will be valuable to our members because we all learn so much from each other. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I invite you visit our other transplant discussion groups and to join in anywhere you want.
What kind of support was the most meaningful for you and your son after his transplant? Did you find any support once you returned home?
What organ did your son receive?
Rosemary

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@amlak This is a very touching post. Thank you for spiritually (faith) uplifting some if not all of us who are followers on Mayo Connect Transplants.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @mauraacro "That's so interesting, thank you. Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver..." + (show)
@mauraacro

That's so interesting, thank you.
Now I'm curious as to why it is important that liver recipients & donors need to be close but for kidneys, they can be strangers. Off to search for answers.

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@mauraacro What a great concept. Until this post I really only thought the transplant was either through a personal channel (family member, close friend, friend of family/ friend) or total stranger. But online & virtual choice will definitely only get more popular. I am truly moved by humanity when I learn of testimonies like yours. It brings to mind one of the philosophies I live by - get to really know the person up close & you will personally find their a lot more like you than you could have ever imagined. After all we are all born from a woman, we all need water, food, everyone has felt grief & relief, the sun shines & rain falls for each of us and the list goes on if only we open our eyes to our commonalities.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jun 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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@beckyjohnson The Mayo clinics can interface with one another. Record sharing.

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beckyjohnson | @beckyjohnson | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @gaylea1 "@Rosemarya thank you for the reminder about the liver transplant procurement presentation. I worry so much..." + (show)
@gaylea1

@rosemarya thank you for the reminder about the liver transplant procurement presentation. I worry so much about this. I feel guilty knowing someone has passed to obtain a liver. There have been a few close matches but they have never been quite right for me. I wonder if others feel this way about receiving a liver transplant?

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@windwalker This desire resurfaced about a month ago when I asked my doctor about donating my dead body to science. Which he replied become an organ donor by checking the box on your drivers license. Then I began thinking I would rather give my organs away while I'm living to someone I know. The problem was I didn't know anybody who needed a kidney (at the time the only organ I knew for sure that was commonly donated) so I went to work looking for ways to donate. Now I plan on giving while I'm both alive & when I'm. deceased

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amlak | @amlak | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @amlak "Hello, I just want tell you that my son had his transplant at Mayo in Jax..." + (show)
@amlak

Hello, I just want tell you that my son had his transplant at Mayo in Jax 2010 , Dec. This is the best place and support is great. There is a Second Chance Group that meets there every week and everyone is very helpful. Seek out Kristin Corlet and Steve Binder. They will be of big help in getting to know the area. We stayed at the Inn attached to Mayo. It is nice and you can try. Very convenient. We ended up renting an apartment on Kernan..I think.. and furnished it via Cort furniture after he was accepted for transplant. He received his transplant call within three weeks. We are blessed as this was a miracle.

Jump to this post

Hello,
For evaluation we stayed at, Inn at Mayo, just next door. This is connected to Mayo and was very convenient. For transplant we rented for 6 months , both furniture and apartment. I for get the name but apartment complex was on Kernan just off butler Blvd. Two exits from San Pablo. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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