Replies to Here are a few suggested items: 1. List of phone numbers transplant clinic, etc. in case…

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Transplants | Last Active: Oct 6, 2018 | Replies (57)

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@jasgto

Here are a few suggested items:
1. List of phone numbers transplant clinic, etc. in case of emergency. If going far out of town the location of a near by transplant clinic where you will be located.
2. Masks for any crowded situations or when someone is coughing or sneezing near by and you can't relocate;
3. List of over the counter medications allowed if you should start feeling like your coming down with something;
4. Letter from your transplant clinic explaining your a heart transplant patient and traveling with medications (especially if some are liquids);
5. Portable urine container and a few depends, just in case. 🙂
6. Be mindful of eating out concerns: Try to not eat from the buffet, no lettuce or no undercooked eggs, seafood or meat.

Good luck on the trip!

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Replies to "Here are a few suggested items: 1. List of phone numbers transplant clinic, etc. in case..."

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 22, 2018

Hey @jasgto welcome to Connect. I see that this was your first post. Nice entry into the community with such great information.

We look forward to getting to know more about your. Are you a heart transplant recipient? I invite you to tell us your story in this thread:
- This and That and Talk - My Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/this-and-that-and-talk-my-transpant/

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 24, 2018

@jasgto Great, comprehensive list. I have a page from my post-transplant with allowable and unallowable medications that I keep a copy of with me.
I have never thought to have a letter from my transplant department, probably not a bad idea though. I have flown a number of times since my transplant and so far not had a problem but you never know when you might.

I have been told to not eat from buffets at all, and I do not. Not only could germs in the air get on the food, but often the foods are not kept at optimal temperatures. I will eat the yogurt in containers, and bananas. Funny story -- we are going to Charleston next month so I called one of the interesting sounding hotels to find out if their included breakfast was a buffet. The young woman on the phone said no, so I then said you order and it is brought to you? She said no, it's all set out and you go up and serve yourself! HUH? Ironically, the yogurt on the breakfast is out in big bowls so I couldn't even have eaten that.

When we get to our hotel, if we are staying at one, I always buy a gallon of water to have in our room, or more depending on how long we will be there. I also bring my own plastic cups. I don't trust the drinking glasses in hotel rooms after things I have read.
I have read that the coffee makers in hotel rooms are hotbeds of germs, they are never really cleaned, so I never use them. When we were in NYC a couple of weeks ago I would go down to the lobby to buy coffee, or step outside to a store that had great coffee. I have only worn a mask on airplanes but I can see that they might be useful in crowded places also.

Disinfectant, disinfectant, disinfectant! Not only the ones for your purse, but also to wipe down the room. I must admit, I have not been as vigilant about that as I should be. I will be on our trip in October. The first half of that will be at my son's new house in Denver so I can relax more there. His gf is a nurse and super-vigilant. When she gets home from the hospital she heads right to the shower to not have any germs on her.

Have a great time. Are you flying or going to a driveable location?

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