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Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Transplants | Last Active: Dec 15, 2024 | Replies (1623)

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@joanaiken

Thank you for the anniversary wishes ! It felt like a real milestone. This was my second liver transplant, as my original one in 2008 failed. In MY mind, adding a kidney transplant would be incredibly complex. However, I am told that it is actually a little better, as I am already immunosuppressed. Yes, I still take meds and have labs drawn in varying intervals. It is a lifelong commitment and we must never forget that. May I ask how you became a volunteer mentor ? Best wishes to you in our shared continued journey.

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Replies to "Thank you for the anniversary wishes ! It felt like a real milestone. This was my..."

@joanaiken, Thanks for sharing that information about what you learned about the potentially positive effects of being immunosuppressed. Like you, I had suspected the opposite would be true.

After returning home from my transplant at Mayo Rochester I wanted to meet others who were living with organ transplants. I found Mayo Connect and I began to interact with other patients. Eventually I discovered that by sharing my own experiences, I was helping others. Perhaps it was the mom or the teacher part of me, and it came naturally for me to make a personal committment to be available when somebody had a question or needed a virtual hand to hold. When Mayo Connect initiated the Volunteer Mentor Program, I was approached by the community director about taking on a role as mentor.

Have you seen the "PAGES" section of Connect?
I want to suggest that you go to the Pages>About Connect: Who, What & Why>Newsfeed. You will see a section about the Volunteer Mentor Program that lists the criteria for volunteer mentors. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/

Here is an article that was presented in the Pages>Transplant>Newsfeed
Meet Rosemary: Transplant Recipient and Mentor
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/meet-rosemary-transplant-recipient-and-mentor/
Joanaiken, Do you live in the vicinity of the center where you are listed for a kidney? Is it the same transplant center where you had your liver transplant?