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It's getting real... found a living donor

Transplants | Last Active: Jun 2, 2022 | Replies (18)
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@rosemarya

@2gallonhabit, I celebrated my 13th transplant anniversary in April! My transplant was in 2009. Reading your posts and remembering, makes me wonder where the time has gone! Life is good!
I was diagnosed with a progressive liver disease, and for 8 years I knew that a liver transplant was a possibility. But nothing prepared me for the flood of fear and emotions that surfaced when my gastroenterologist said that I was ready to be referred to the liver transplant center in Kentucky. I was listed for a liver transplant, but as my disease progressed, my health failed, my kidneys went into acute failure, and I was flown to Mayo Rochester from ICU in critical condition. I immediately felt safe at Mayo because they were experts in my disease. They were able to stabilize my condition, and I was listed for a liver and kidney transplant. Three weeks after my simultaneous liver and kidney transplant, we returned home to central Kentucky. My husband and I lived at the Gift of Life House during those 11 weeks.
We arrived in Rochester with one small bag that my husband was allowed to carry on the medical transport plane. Fortunately, we had already taken care of all of the legal necessities early in my health journey.

My journey is one of many. I want to share some links for you because they will introduce you to what others have also shared. As Connect member, you can reply or comment anywhere. If you want to direct a comment/question to a particular individual, just use their @name.

Donating a kidney, flying to Mayo for surgery, any packing tips?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/donating-a-kidney-flying-to-mayo-for-surgery-any-packing-tips/

Waiting for the Call: What needs to get done at home before you go?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/waiting-for-the-call-what-needs-to-get-done-at-home-before-you-go/

Packing question: What did you have ready for "the call"?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/packing-question/

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/preparing-for-surgery-tips-for-your-wait-on-the-list/.

Here is a discussion for your donor:
Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

How often will you be checked or seen by your Mayo team?

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Replies to "@2gallonhabit, I celebrated my 13th transplant anniversary in April! My transplant was in 2009. Reading your..."
2gallonhabit | @2gallonhabit | May 8, 2022

@rosemarya Oh my goodness! What a transplant journey you've had! I can't imagine being away from home for 11 weeks. I love the Gift of Life house and would definitely have been staying there had I not moved to Rochester.

And THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for the links to the posts. I'll admit that I'm feeling a bit adrift right now, trying to figure out what to expect. You've helped a lot. I find it interesting that Mayo doesn't have some kind of compiled literature on what to expect. Maybe they do? But I missed it?

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