@gaylea, Don't stress about the bag. I took one, but didn't even have time to open it, because my morning prior to surgery was too busy. I got call 6:42 AM, and instead of going to dialysis, we went to transplant dept where nurses were waiting for me. They even cheered and high-fived as Tom rolled my wheelchair down the hallway! (I had been in hospital several times, and so there were some familiar faces) During an abbreviated dialysis session, I had many doctor visits in preparation. And each one was extremely encouraging and positive, and excited for me! At that moment, I had absolutely no fear of the surgery. I had a real peace-of-mind that this was finally going to happen.
After the surgery, I was a little confused about events, but I was happy and relieved. The jaundice was gone immediately. I was taken from recovery to my room in a wheelchair. And the next morning I could eat breakfast - Coffee and toast have never tasted so good!

Prayers for you and all who are waiting.
Rosemary

@contentandwell, We had planned for every possible scenario for when we got the call, But when I did get it, I forgot everything.

@rosemarya how long did your surgery last and how long were you in the hospital afterwards? I have my bag packed according to what I wanted and needed on previous trips to the hospital. Books, tablet...dressing gown socks and toothbrush etc. I have a special reading lamp that attaches to my book so I can read at night without a big light on. I am so looking forward to eating without nausea the loss of jaundice and No More Lactulose!!!

@gaylea1

I got my call at 6:42 on a Wed morning. (Neatest thing is that our boys were visiting us in Rochester from KY that week). We went to hospital from the Gift of Life Transplant House (where we were living at the time) on the shuttle - 7 blocks. After check-in, dialysis, etc, I remember being rolled to the operating room 1:30. I was greeted by the anesthesiologist who had visited me and explained everything to me. All of the attendants in the unit introduced themselves from behind their blue surgical masks. I believe this had a calming effect on me.
I learned that the actual surgery was an unbelievable 5 1/2 hours. My surgeon was spectacular, and the procedure went smoothly. the organs began to work right away. My husband said that they got to see me around 10:30 and then they went to get some sleep.
The first awareness I had was sometime the next morning when my son called out to me. It was wonderful to hear him say that I wasn't yellow!
I was really afraid of the surgery. I wanted to just go to sleep, and wake up and have it over- that is exactly what happened. I also worried about the medical 'stuff' and incision, but they took care of everything.

I was discharged from hospital on day 7. We were on our way home to Kentucky on day 20. Remember that each of us can have different post transplant schedules.
You will do fine. As my transplant surgeon told me, "You just need to show up and we'll do everything'.
Rosemary

@rosemarya I was pretty well set, just forgot the notebook I wanted to journal in. Of course I only had to drive an hour+. you were further away, and weren't you already there when you got the call?
I hadn't showered yet and I asked if I could take the time to do that. They said not to, to get right there. We got there at around 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon, and the surgery did not take place until 12:30 that night! I don't know why they said no to a shower, maybe they were afraid I would eat something too.
JK

@rosemarya I am so impressed with how much you remember! It's such a blur to me. I do know that my surgery lasted for 7.5 hours! I have no idea why it would be that much longer than yours, but all is well that ends well, and mine certainly did. I was discharged on day 6.
JK

@contentandwell, I cannot take credit for remembering all of this! My husband kept in touch with our family, friends back home via group emails. I was able to learn a lot about my situation by reading his emails! We have a collection on emails and replies that we have printed and saved in binders.
We have also had 'sit down and talk' times where I have questioned him for details and events that are fuzzy in my head. And it is very difficult for him to relive that period of our lives. I have also been able to read the reports in my medical record on my Mayo patient portal, but not anything from my UofK records.(so that is frustrating)

You mentioned forgetting your notebook. It is probably just as well. I kept a journal of sorts, but my post transplant entries did not happen until I was out of hospital.

I credit my surgical time to the experience and skill of my transplant surgeon and team. Everything went 'without a hitch and the organs began to work immediately' as reported to my husband by surgeon when I was out of surgery. I also feel that the amount of information that Mayo collected during my transplant evaluation had a major impact. Another factor was that the blood vessels that had to be joined, were near perfect fits.
Hugs,
Rosemary

@rosemarya that makes me feel a little bit better. 😉 I should have grilled my husband right after the hospital stay but I put it off and of course he ended up forgetting a lot also.
We both have been very fortunate at how well things have worked out. I will always be awe of the whole thing.
JK

@contentandwell @rosemarya I have my kids tell me everything that has transpired and many times they tell me things that'd happened with doctors and how I reacted..or didn't react. There are so many things that I was unaware of. Ultrasounds, scopes, breathing tubes...they are still telling me about the sequence of events. I can't believe that I had no idea most if the time what was going on. They know about every doctor's visit and kept track of everything. Right down to what meds I've been prescribed, dosage and how to read my blood test results. I am one lucky Mum.

@gaylea1 you are lucky. I wish I had that kind of record. They must really care so much to have paid that much attention to everything.
JK