1. < Transplants

What was your experience returning to work post liver transplant?

Posted by katebw @katebw, Jun 2, 2022

I’m wondering what people’s experiences are around returning to work (if you worked before your transplant). I haven’t worked (social work) since March 2021 and tentatively plan to in the fall. Very part time. I get terrible back aches, worried about stamina, etc. I’d love to know how you address this, if this is relevant to you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

dakotabonnie | @dakotabonnie | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@dakotabonnie welcome. Wow, what a story. Fifteen years post transplant and still working at 73 years..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@dakotabonnie welcome. Wow, what a story. Fifteen years post transplant and still working at 73 years old for the same company. That's not something one hears everyday. I think you should add your snapshot of hope to this discussion:
- Snapshots of hope: Life on the other side of transplant. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/

All welcome to add their snapshot by the way.

Bonnie, might I ask what kind of work you do? Any retirement plans?

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Hi Coleen! I definitely will consider your recommendation! I work for a wonderful company (admin type work) that provides jobs for experienced workers over the age of 55 years. You can check it out on our website at NEWsolutions.org. We are a non-profit and the jobs we have are via funding through the government. Prior to my transplant I raised Bison and we had a manufacturing company, and I had just moved from SD to WI when I got sick. It took from the day after Christmas to Jan. 28th for my liver to fail completely, so I will be forever grateful to Mayo and my donor for saving my life. I call Mayo the Dome of Miracles!! I went back to work 7 months after my transplant, and don't know what I would have done without it! 🙂

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erikaclark | @erikaclark | Mar 19, 2023
In reply to @jackie421blfdgurl "Hi Kate...I am Jackie..liver transplant October 2020. I wanted to wk due to boardum I started..." + (show)
@jackie421blfdgurl

Hi Kate...I am Jackie..liver transplant October 2020. I wanted to wk due to boardum
I started to wk in a school part time. But I have to tell u I was tired at end of day..feet hurt..back hurt .. stamina was ok when I was there. I have since quit..I got COVID from the kids! My Dr writing letter I can't wk with kids anymore due to my
Health..all u can do is try....good luck

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Hi Jackie,
Thank you for the advice of all you can do is try....I had my liver transplant November 2022. I hope to go back to work in the classroom in August. I was teaching and love first grade but have requested moving up to a higher grade level like 4th or 5th for stamina and exposure reasons. I love my job! But I have a lot of fear around returning to school and being able to do the job in the way I would like. I have thought about trying to return part-time to see how it goes.

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1 reply
jackie421blfdgurl | @jackie421blfdgurl | Mar 19, 2023
In reply to @erikaclark "Hi Jackie, Thank you for the advice of all you can do is try....I had my..." + (show)
@erikaclark

Hi Jackie,
Thank you for the advice of all you can do is try....I had my liver transplant November 2022. I hope to go back to work in the classroom in August. I was teaching and love first grade but have requested moving up to a higher grade level like 4th or 5th for stamina and exposure reasons. I love my job! But I have a lot of fear around returning to school and being able to do the job in the way I would like. I have thought about trying to return part-time to see how it goes.

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U can love teaching all u want! Parents r always sending kids to school
Sick. U would have to wear rubber gloves and a good mask.otherwise u are opening yourself up for all kind of germs and in our condition..we need to stay away. I went back to the classroom and got sick and got COVID.my doctor was not happy.so good luck

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 21, 2023

@erikaclark, @jackie421blfdgurl -
I always find it amazing how alike/different each of us is!

I used to teach, too. I decided to take an early retirement because of my pre-transplant symptoms in combination with a difficult school environment. I was near retirement age, anyway and my husband had already retired.
I did meet a woman who went back to teaching in 1st grade after her liver transplant in a neighboring district (small local school) and she did very well. I read not to long ago that she had retired, so I know that she successfully taught for at least 12 years after her liver transplant.

@erikaclark, What is the opinion of your transplant team? I imagine that they will remind you of the reason for getting transplant - to live a normal life and to do the things you enjoy. Have you mentioned this to them?

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1 reply
erikaclark | @erikaclark | Mar 22, 2023
In reply to @rosemarya "@erikaclark, @jackie421blfdgurl - I always find it amazing how alike/different each of us is! I used..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@erikaclark, @jackie421blfdgurl -
I always find it amazing how alike/different each of us is!

I used to teach, too. I decided to take an early retirement because of my pre-transplant symptoms in combination with a difficult school environment. I was near retirement age, anyway and my husband had already retired.
I did meet a woman who went back to teaching in 1st grade after her liver transplant in a neighboring district (small local school) and she did very well. I read not to long ago that she had retired, so I know that she successfully taught for at least 12 years after her liver transplant.

@erikaclark, What is the opinion of your transplant team? I imagine that they will remind you of the reason for getting transplant - to live a normal life and to do the things you enjoy. Have you mentioned this to them?

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Thank you for your response! My team has encouraged me to go back when I feel well enough but have agreed an older grade level may be best. Like you said, the goal is return to a normal life. Your post has offered me some encouragement and I very much appreciate it.

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myfablife | @myfablife | Mar 23, 2023

I worked in the Dental field my TP team felt that might not be the best environment for me. The office has had a lot of Covid they were vaccinated and have all had it several times, some to have small children.
I am not living in a bubble but chose not to continue in that field. Retired early. It worked out the best for me as I have had to have several surgeries, my Dad got sick and I was able to be his caregiver as he was mine during my LTP. So it’s a choice u have to make life is to precious to worry about every little thing we have been given a second chance to LIVE💚💚 so enjoy..

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jackie421blfdgurl | @jackie421blfdgurl | Mar 23, 2023

Hi myfablife...u r right. But you know we are different animals. Animals in the wild or home bound live life everyday..eat...rest ..have shelter...we on the other hand know that life is precious esp. us transplants
But u get caught up in the everyday crap and we need to put poster notes everywhere to tell us or me...stop smell the roses 🌹
It could b worse. B grateful
As my god teaches..and thankful. I want to get involved in being a volunteer..b it in hospital..nursing homes..churches that help the homeless..Something
Instead of letting days go past without doing something that matters...have a great day ..
I told Rosemary we should all meet somewhere in the
US and have a rip roaring weekend with each other what a great time that would b.. get speakers to come with all our questions
And per Rosie drink all the ginger ale we can handle!!!!

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