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How do you get in the loop for a possible lung transplant?

Transplants | Last Active: Oct 15, 2023 | Replies (10)
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@chrisxkauffold

A lot of great comments in here, I had a heart double lung transplant 8 months ago. The post about all the changes with medications, immune issues, diet, and diabetes are all there and are very real, it's basically a whole different lifestyle. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you do not need a referral to contact the Mayo Clinic Transplant team. I had a 1 day interview, 5 day evaluation and testing, went on the list in December, transplant in January. I had IPF, fibrosis can be really horrible! The initial interview determines need and health to see if you are a candidate. I just looked at the American Lung Association and the 'guideline' is 65 years old but they state clearly that this is NOT a hard number and many people over 65 get lung transplants. At 62 I was at the upper end of the age range for heart-lung but everything else worked out.

Best of luck, keep pushing forward!

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Replies to "A lot of great comments in here, I had a heart double lung transplant 8 months..."
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 3, 2023

Hi @chrisxkauffold, it's a pleasure to finally cross your path. You've answered a lot of commonly asked questions about age and getting evaluated. I look forward to learning more about your transplant story. Will you share it here?
- Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Oct 15, 2023

@chrisxkauffold, I was on vacation when you posted this Happy Message that you received a heart double lung transplant only 8 months ago. My transplant was 14 years ago (liver and kidney) at Mayo Rochester. I remember meeting a some ling transplant patients while staying at the Gift of Life Transplant House. At that time I was really too sick to interact with them. It was the first time that I had met anyone with a lung transplant. I'm rambling, but I really wanted to say, Welcome to the Connect Transplant Support Group!

Chris, I hope that someday, you will feel ready to share your story in the link that Colleen provided. In the meantime, How are you and How is the recovery going for you? Are you at home? Have you been able to participate in any of your pre-transplant interests?

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