Connect
Holidays: Celebration or Challenge for Transplant Families
Holiday celebrations and festivities can be a challenge for transplant patients and their families. The twinkling lights and music are everywhere enticing us to get out to shop and celebrate. Soon, we will be receiving invitations to family and social gatherings with all of the special foods and beverages. It is no wonder that some of us approach the holidays with trepidation about a season that is supposed to bring joy and cheer.
How will you navigate the holidays? What are your plans?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.
Connect
Happy Thanksgiving!to all. Hope what ever u cook comes out yummy. I no cook going to my friend's house..yes...no dishes!!! There is nothing different but since I am gluten free no stuffing..but I can have vegetables.and all the wine that is available..haha kidding I might have half glass.no skimping on desserts..if I pay for the price tomorrow then it's
Imodium time. Best wishes to all.lv jackie
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsThe Holiday Season is fast approaching
- Are Holidays a Challeng or a Celebration for you as a transplant patient?
What are some of your plans for celebrating?
What are some challenges that you are anticipating?
What questions do you have as you get ready for your holiday activities?
All members are invited. To get us into the holiday mood, I am tagging members who participated last year:
@cehunt57 @myfablife @blbird33 @chickytina @cmael @katebw @gingerw @ajdo129 @jackie421blfdgurl - I hope to see you soon!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThat’s wonderful to hear ❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you. In June I was able to take a 2 week trip as long as I got a blood draw mid trip. Because I was going to minutes away from Duke hospital if anything was wrong, both Mayo and I felt all would be okay for my trip.
I saw 36 friends while I was there. It meant the world to me to finally (after 4 years) be return to a place where I had lived for 47 years and to thank all my friends for supporting me by email throught my transplant journey.
ajdo129
I would ask your doctor, if you could go for a couple of days, doesn’t hurt to ask
Post liver transplant in my 6th month, unable to go places except doctor office, blood draw , still needs a procedure, I’ve been told that if I get sick, they will not do the procedure, hard because no one is wearing mask, COVID is increasing in California
Hi...I miss talking to u. U sure are an angel! I am amazed that u had your surgeries such a long time ago and how well u are doing.U really let God know u want to live a good life! I was working part time for 10 months after school care 3rd grader n 6th grader got them from school then hmwk..etc mom was a teacher so my job ended in June. Hoping to get same for Sept still not like being around lot of people.holudays too far for me to think!!!! My little baby doggie turned 14 July 6th.si we are both seniors..even though I still believe I am 21!!!!
@jackie421blfdgurl, I did get this message! - anytime you want me or anyone to get your message Be sure to include the @name of the person. (and be sure to include the @ and to spell correctly 😘) for me you would type or copy/paste @rosemarya
I am happy to hear from you. I think that we all have become like a family here on Connect with our common badge of honor, "Transplant Recipient" Yes, summer is going by fast, too fast and I think it is not a coincidence that you have tagged me to this Holiday Celebration or Challenge Support Group. Maybe it is time to start preparing, but I am not ready to start shopping yet, it's too hot.
Jackie, it is easy to be confused and get lost, especially with ongoing technical improvements and updates.
Here are 2 ways to access the list of the Transplant Discussions, use whichever is easier for you:
- Transplant Support Group
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
or
- Support Groups At top of any page you will see the heading "Support Groups". All of Connects support groups are listed in alphabetical order. When you get tp Transplant, Click, and You will be able to scroll thru ALL transplant conversations.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi Rosey..this is Jackie
I hope u get this message. I have not been in touch with the group for some time.. no reason.miss all u guys. I am good. So far!! How r u? The summer sure went fast.we were lucky in N.J. with temps. They were good. Today At 3:30 pm it is 80 and 0 humidity..luck to u all.
Hi ave a great day...we r special
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Rosemary,
Apologies for letting a few days pass before responding. Generally I like responding with positive comments and creative solutions so I hesitated to answer your "how do you plan to celebrate your 1 year anniversay?"
6 weeks ago I was looking forward to my 1 year marker and I have been planning to see my NC friends gathered over 49 years of living in Durham Chapel Hill area. In 2021 I had tckets to see them (2 years after moving to AZ) when I had to cancel my trip 3 days before my departure because my blood test said something was seriously wrong with my liver.
In the past 6 weeks my blood draws have spiked in liver enzymes after every 4th week draw. Mayo being vigilant called me in for an immediate biopsy to be sure I wasn't going through acute liver rejection. Each time I had to cancel any plans I had made for that week.
Now instead of looking forward to my 1st annivetsay of my transplant, I sit on meedles waiting to see results of my blood tests and any plans I make I add a proviso that I might need to cancel. So far the biopsies are "unremarkable " but we have no idea what is causing the spiking liver enzymes.
I fear that I won't be able to see my NC friends, especially my friend of 51 years who recently was diagnosed with blood and bone marrow cancer.
It's odd how the immediate calls for a biopsy remind me of my and my liver's fragility. So I am just celebrating each day, making loose plans if any and hoping that I can still see my friends in NC.
Barbara
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction