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Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story?
Transplants | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (94)Comment receiving replies
We are dealing with a very recent transplant - our family member just had a heart/lung transplant at Mayo. I'm the patient's ex-wife, which may sound strange that I'm closely involved, but we are a tight extended family and I think of him as my brother. Due to Covid he's only allowed one visitor, and that has been our adult son. So we're doing what we can to support my son as he supports his dad.
We are just starting this very long journey of healing, and understand there are a lot of ups and downs about to be faced. I offered to my son to reach out and find us some support groups and gather information to share with him and his siblings. My coping mechanism is to gather information and learn all I can.
We'd appreciate any insights, wisdom, tips or whatever people would be willing to share with us. We will also be looking for support groups to join for my ex, and for us family members.
Replies to "We are dealing with a very recent transplant - our family member just had a heart/lung..."
@bcrandall Hi and Congratulations on your ex-husband's new Heart and Lung. Exciting times and I didn't see this post before my answer in the other message but either way is fine. If you haven't seen it yet at the beginning of this thread is my transplant story. I welcome expanding on any.portion of the process going forward. Please share any concerns you may have and if i cant answer them there are others here also. As for a support group this is a great one and i highly.recomend the patient portal. Nurse Coordinators are a great resource also. They can also direct you to others in the Mayo departments like the social workers to get questions about his direct care. I also would suggest that your Son and ex husband also join here at connect, there are caregivers also here that are a great resource. We look forward to hearing more as the process unfolds.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana
Connect
@bcrandall Welcome to Mayo Connect! My husband is a kidney transplant recipient, now 4 years out. Each transplant patient and their support team is a unique story, a unique journey. It's wonderful that you are all working together to make this time as meaningful and smooth as you can! Was the surgery at a Mayo Clinic campus, or somewhere else? Either way, congratulations!
Here are a few links to existing discussions within the transplant group conversations:
Dealing with tips and suggestions is https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/transplant-caregiver-advice-got-tips-to-share/
Lung transplant thoughts here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lung-transplant-post-op-would-like-to-hear-positive-stories/
Post transplant thoughts here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/changes-after-transplant/?commentsorderby=ASC#chv4-comment-stream-header
@danab is a fairly recent heart transplant patient, and possibly offer you thoughts. Also, check with your ex-husband's transplant team, to source out local support groups who may have some ideas. I think you might hear "everything in it's time", "don't forget to take your meds!" often, as we heard ;)) It's true!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Ginger