Holidays: Celebration or Challenge for Transplant Families

I also am Blessed to have received a gift of a Heart January 5th 2018, I wonder sometimes as to the wonderful family who gave their loved one's organs to give that hope to other families. Im sure that each year about this time they remember their Loved one they lost sometime in the upcoming week now almost 6 years ago. I have not had any contact with them, and I do understand it can't be easy. I too have lost a daughter also who was not able to donate Her organs, but I can understand the pain of losing someone and how holidays can be stressful. So, I would like to thank all those who have given the gift of life to someone else. May God Bless you all as we celebrate another gift of Jesus Christ to the world on Christmas. May you all have a blessed holiday and a prosperous New Year.
A very Grateful Heart Recipient
Dana

I want to thank the family of my husband's deceased donor, as he received one of their son's/brother's kidneys on 10/1/2017. He has been able to continue his volunteer pasttimes, helping others. He has watched his grandchildren grow up. He finished his long work career and now is actively retired, pursuing new ventures.

We don't know the circumstances of his donor's life, but we are grateful to be a recipient of a solid organ transplant that has given my husband a new lease on life!
Ginger

To all who are touched by Organ Donation -
This is my Holiday Greeting for all who are touched by Organ Donation -

May you experience gift of love as you celebrate the traditions of the season.
May you be blessed with a new year of peace and joy.
May the message of hope sustain you throughout your transplant journey and for the rest of your life.

- What holiday message would you like to share?

I have certainly enjoyed being together with all of you here on Connect for the Thanksgiving Holidays!
Our family Thanksgiving Dinner was on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day. Good food, good conversation, sharing memories, and everyone was healthy made for a cherished time together. I am blessed to have a family that gets along. I am blessed to have a family who was my support during my transplant journey, and who support me today as I approach year 15.

Let's meet again during the next Holiday!
- In the meantime, does anyone have any shopping or gifting tips? Are you a shopper? or like me dreading the gift buying aspect of holidays? Will you take special precautions when out shopping?

Hi to all my TP friends, it sounds like we all are a grateful thankful group.
I am so happy to hear you all had a happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁 I as well did to. I am bursting with so much happiness in my life since my LTP, I have 3yrs. I hope we all stay healthy to..💚😊

I am 5 1/2 years post transplant. This year we will be hosting our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Not all of them will come, which is a good thing, since we now have 12 great grandchildren. All four of our children will come. There will be 10-15 of us. My husband has dementia and is not able to be much help to me and will most likely be extra work. Most of my family is gluten free so it adds a bit to planning. Hoping it goes well.

@rosemarya My husband is a kidney transplant recipient. I myself am a kidney disease patient, on daily peritoneal dialysis, along with being an active blood cancer patient.

This year, rather than heading north 4 hours to my bonus son's house/family, we will be staying home. We will fix a turkey meal and have invited the neighbors across the street, their son and his girlfriend. So, six adults for dinner, and they are contributing a few things.

For me, it is a time to be thankful for all we have, all we have been given, thankful for our medical teams. A time to be gentle and not feel we have to do everything, and not beat ourselves up for wanting to have a quiet day.
Ginger

Happy Thanksgiving!!
My husband is 5 weeks post transplant surgery. We plan on a small quiet dinner with our daughter and her husband. So much to be thankful for. His diet is not really restricted. Foods they told him to stay away from, he doesn't eat anyway. I am looking forward to a day off and just eating and relaxing!! No stress!!
I hope everyone enjoys the day!!!

My big holiday is Christmas and the celebrations preceding it (and I love the season of Advent). I’m working this Thanksgiving to cover my mental health outreach team. I’ll be visiting some folks who’re alone on that holiday. The next day I’ll go with my mom to visit my daughter who has flown the nest post college! My main concerns around holidays are crowds and wanting to stay well. Since it’s been 2 years since my liver transplant I now worry less but I am still careful. I don’t drink any alcohol anymore and those I celebrate with aren’t especially boozy so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. I will indulge in the rest of the deliciousness.

Holidays for me have long been heavy in the face of my losses and there’s a new set of feelings about my good fortune to be alive and well after all that illness and fear. It’s a very contemplative time for me, especially Advent and Christmas.

Yes Thanksgiving should be an everyday sentiment. Something I am thankful for is family. I have 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 6 grandkids (ages 7 - 18). These families are busy (college, dance, music, sports, theater …etc.) We will get together during the weekend of 12/1 - 12/3 for a “holiday meal” at my house. People will come and go at different times. There will be overnight stays, other meals and possibly Christmas presents also. On the official Thanksgiving Day it’ll be just me & my husband. We’ll watch parades, some dog show and football (We grew up in Wisconsin and will watch Packers vs Lions.) At some point we’ll go out to eat; Denny’s, Perkins nothing fancy.