What can I Expect for my Lung Transplant Review?

Hi Kevin. You will be covered in prayer for your transplant tests. If it goes anything like my heart transplant preview, there will be blood labs, xrays, CAT scan, a pulmonary function test and perhaps a oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange test. You will speak to many doctors and they will also have you see a psychiatrist to ensure that you are mentally prepared for any possible surgery. Mayo plans out these days meticulously and you will be well taken care of. You are in great hands.

thank you . how long were you at your review? they said we would be there 7 to 14 days for three review.

Hi Kevin. I live in Tucson so I was traveling back and forth to Phoenix so they split up my days between a month and a half. By the time I finished my last test and went to my follow-up appointment, they were prepared to discuss listing me for a transplant. I had to have special blood labs taken because I lived in South America when I was younger. They had to send out those tests to Rochester and we waited for results for a little over ten days. You review may not be as long. There was an earlier consideration to do a heart/lung transplant because I had sarcoidosis in my right lung, but it was not necessary. Best wishes and prayers your way. Let us know how everything works out or if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. 🙂

Kevin, which Mayo are you going to be at? When my husband had his workup for his liver transplant we had 4 FULL days of appointments. They do their best to get your appointments as close together as possible. You will meet so many wonderful people and will be very careful for.

Many prayers and blessings to you.
JoDee

Kevin I've just completed the evaluation process for a lung transplant. Over the next couple of weeks you will receive the most thorough physical you've ever had. Poked, prodded, questioned, blood tests and all that jazz. You will receive a Patient Visitors Guide that tells you exactly what is expected of you for each appointment. This means that you are not on this journey alone as the appointments are made for you, much like the military you are told where to go, what to do to prepare (if anything) and then be prepared for changes in the schedule as something might be added as you go along. My suggestion is to sit back, chill out and let this well oiled machine work for you. Just follow the directions in the Patient guide (the staff will print it out for you if you want. Mine was 45 pages but also included details on what the tests meant and nutrition information. I wish you success in getting through the process to be listed.

Hi Kevin and @wendylsmith44, thinking of you as you get settled into Gabriel House at Mayo JAX. I'm so glad that you were able to get a spot there. I believe you were first on a waiting list. Did you start the evaluation process yet?

I'm tagging @djallan and @windwalker who have also been at Mayo JAX for lung evaluation should you have questions as you go. Like Paula said, you will be well taken care of and guided by your care team and have the guide book to answer questions that are commonly asked. DJallan also recommends checking out The Lung Transplant Support Group at the Florida campus.

@paulajcoffer, I see from your profile bio that you have BOOP (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia). How are you doing? Did you attend support group sessions while going through evaluation?

Yes I did attend the support group meetings. Today and each Tuesday they are held at 1pm, Mayo 2nd floor by the elevator. Some of the best folks you can ever meet are there to help you understand as they have 'been there, done that'

Well your at. The right place. The eval will basically check you out from head to toe to see what problems may caise an issue during the transplant. But my prayers are with you and and this site has a lot of great people to talk to. Im looking forward to hearing about your journey.
Dana

Hi Kevin and @wendylsmith44, I'm not sure you have time to go online during your evaluation process this past week. I just want to let you know that I've been thinking of you both. I hope you'll have a minute to check in and let us know how you are doing.

We've passed all of our tests everything is going good we're still at the Gabriel house we did have a couple questions when you are accepted to the lung transplant program and they call you when they have a long for you do they have helicopter you do they bring you by ambulance do you drive yourself do you have a pager how do they get ahold of you there's so many questions that we have