Transplant Evaluation - What to expect

I was at Mayo Rochester last week, and I felt safe and secure because of all of the safe practices that the entire Mayo staff and the patients are following.
In conversations with my care team, I learned that transplant patient visits are increasing after the pandemic slowdown. UNOS (unos.org) reports that after monthlong decline in transplants performed each week in the United States, the numbers began to gradually increase.
How has this affected you?
Have you been reactivated? What are you hearing from your transplant center?
Where are you in your transplant evaluation ?
@beckyy39, @jeanne5009, @racing212, @brianna, @dhelmstetter, @estrada53, @gaylea1, @cehunt57

I extend a special WELCOME to new members. You are about to begin an amazing journey with ups and downs anfd twists and turns. How can we help you as you begin your own Transplant journey? What questions do you have?

I think we ALL look great in our masks! Don't you 😷

I haven't been there since March. I go again in September or October

@rosemarya, thank you for the inquiry about my transplant evaluation. I was last at Mayo (Rochester, MN) in October 2019. I am post transplant pancreas (2005 from another transplant center) due to diabetes and have been evaluated at Mayo annually since 2016 for kidney transplant. I’ve been approved, accepted and listed for kidney transplant at Mayo in Rochester. I’ve also been looking for a living kidney donor during this time. Last year my listing was changed to inactive because I was told that I’m “too healthy for a transplant at this time”. Thank God I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in! I’m thankful that I’m not on dialysis or in immediate need of transplant during these times. My local primary doc, endocrinologist and nephrologist are keeping track of me. I’m confident that Mayo will be there if and when more imminent transplant needs arise.

I had my evaluation via telephone the beginning of June. All seems to be OK. I'm still having blood drawn once a month though. My ERCP is scheduled for June 22nd so I'll be in hospital for that. I don't have too many worries about Covid at University Hospital but rather the outcome of the ERCP. Praying I won't have pancreatitis again. I don't want to spend a week in hospital.

@cehunt57, I just got home from Mayo for my annual evaluation. I have every confidence that Mayo will be there when you need them, just as they were there for me and countless others when we needed them. I love the care I get from Mayo as a post transplant patient. My local doctors care for me and can contact Mayo when /if necessary. I travel to Mayo yearly for my post transplant evaluation.
It sounds like a good thing that your inactivation is due to you doing well enought for now. Your attitude and your patience are admirable as you must surely be taking good care of yourself. That will be to your advantage after trasplant surgery.
@cehunt57, it is so good to hear from you. I hope that as the word about living donation is spread that a donor will be found.

How did you learn that you were inactivated? Will you have to be reevaluated?

@racing212, I am happy to hear from you. These past months have been quite stressful for all of us, and I bet that you have had one less thing to be concerned about by being able to stay local. Have you been able to go out to get labs drawn? Do they get sent to Mayo, or dis your local doctor monitoring you?
I hope your HE has been under control.

@gaylea1, I'm getting caught up and want to send you prayers for a safe trip and for a successful ERCP.
Do you know if you be having a stent removed or replaced? Are any precautions being considered due to your past pancreatitus?

I was at Mayo Rochester last week, and I felt safe and secure because of all of the safe practices that the entire Mayo staff and the patients are following.
In conversations with my care team, I learned that transplant patient visits are increasing after the pandemic slowdown. UNOS (unos.org) reports that after monthlong decline in transplants performed each week in the United States, the numbers began to gradually increase.
How has this affected you?
Have you been reactivated? What are you hearing from your transplant center?
Where are you in your transplant evaluation ?
@beckyy39, @jeanne5009, @racing212, @brianna, @dhelmstetter, @estrada53, @gaylea1, @cehunt57

I extend a special WELCOME to new members. You are about to begin an amazing journey with ups and downs anfd twists and turns. How can we help you as you begin your own Transplant journey? What questions do you have?

I think we ALL look great in our masks! Don't you 😷

I have been assign my 'contact' at Mayo Scottsdale but am awaiting (rather impatiently) for them to begin my evaluation. I've had a living donor in the wings since early March when 'elective surgeries' were shut down here in AZ. Now with the drastic increase in Covid cases here, I worry that delays will occur again. How 'old' is too old for a donor? My older brother has agree to donate but he is 73. I know that's putting the cart before the horse since I don't know if I'm even a viable recipient.

@dhelmstetter There is a growing body of evidence that seems to indicate upper aged donors can successfully donate a kidney. It is their health and mental evaluations that decide, not necessarily age. The testing performed on both donor and recipient is extensive, and the transplant team wants both parties to be able to undergo the procedures successfully.

I hope you do not have to wait much longer to start the evaluation process!
Ginger