1. < Transplants

Learning my new normal post Transplant, things that make me laugh!

Posted by Alex @mjolnir64, Jul 6 6:32pm

I've been lurking here on Connect for a month or so learning. I was told by my pulmonologist (who did my heart cath to clear me for my liver tx) that he didn't need to see me until after the tx. He joked that the info I was about receive would be like "trying to drink from a fire hose", and that I didn't need him further complicating matters. I have a diagnosis of COPD and additionally was on O2 because of cirrhotic liver but pulmonary function was ok.
Anyway, as you know, he was SO correct. We had no idea what was coming at us!
My experience here has been similar, the information available can be overwhelming, but I've learned to pace myself, 1-2 hours a day when I feel like it! Especially with co-morbidities, which, it seems like most of us have.
I decided to post today because while grocery shopping earlier I learned something I needed to be aware of. I think I'm "ok" with guarding my immunity being compromised ie. masking when appropriate etc. But I have these epiphany's frequently, like today, while licking my fingertips to be able to open a produce bag. After not disinfecting the cart handle. Something I've done my whole life AND got away with it since I'm still alive. But can't take that risk anymore, or, more appropriately I choose not to take that risk! Hopefully the price I pay is merely the chill up my spine when I realized that this is just one more specific thing that no-one told us about. Because it's not possible to teach someone how to live. We have to learn some of it ourselves, but we do a great job of sharing what we've learned here in these discussions! I want to thank everybody here for sharing, I look forward to learning more and if I can contribute I'll be better for it.
I would be remiss if I didn't applaud my loving wife/caregiver. I wouldn't be here without her!🙂
By the way, I LOL when I realized what I'd done! In the produce aisle! I've always enjoyed these moments, and I credit being Nordic for that. I call them "Oly" moments.

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

pgruetz | @pgruetz | Jul 8 1:09pm
In reply to @rachel5239 "Meet me. I am 38 years post transplant. They had only been doing successful transplants for..." + (show)
@rachel5239

Meet me. I am 38 years post transplant. They had only been doing successful transplants for 2 years. I can only imagine how much that surgery has improved. It can be a bumpy ride but do worth it. Blessings on your journey.

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That’s a blessing i looked up the average survival time and you definitely beat all the odds

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1 reply
rachel5239 | @rachel5239 | Jul 8 11:56am
In reply to @pgruetz "I have never met one person with a liver transplant it’s actually pretty rare to receive..." + (show)
@pgruetz

I have never met one person with a liver transplant it’s actually pretty rare to receive one, after 2 1/2 years
I just started going to a gym paid for by my insurance I’m 65 and it was part of one extra policies, I recommend everyone going to one whether in a pool , lifting light weights, leg presses just anything to keep you getting stronger mentally a game changer I see people in wheelchairs so no excuses

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Meet me. I am 38 years post transplant. They had only been doing successful transplants for 2 years. I can only imagine how much that surgery has improved. It can be a bumpy ride but do worth it. Blessings on your journey.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 7 7:27pm
In reply to @melbourneaussie69 "I have been through very similar thought processes post-transplant. I don't lick my fingers anymore I..." + (show)
@melbourneaussie69

I have been through very similar thought processes post-transplant. I don't lick my fingers anymore I grab the bags need and go to the ice underneath the vegetables and wet my fingers there. I have a habit that my wife hates when shopping. If someone coughs in my face, I thank them for their inconsideration and lecture them on proper etiquette.

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@melbourneaussie69 I love that response from you! With a bow to you, I am going to use that and see what happens.....
Ginger

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pgruetz | @pgruetz | Jul 7 5:26pm
In reply to @craigcraig "Hey Alex ! Sounds like you are doing GREAT. After my liver transplant a year and..." + (show)
@craigcraig

Hey Alex ! Sounds like you are doing GREAT. After my liver transplant a year and a half ago in Az I had to renew my drivers license back here. I told the guy at DMV I had a liver transplant and wanted to be an organ donner . He said I could not as I will be on TAC for life. He had had a liver transplant too. But he said infaticly. " IT GETS BETTER" (over time). Life and adjusting. Sixteen months later he could not have been more right. Walking my golden retriever , doing all grocery shopping when my wife broke her foot, going to grandkids ballgames without a mask, etc. etc. .

I think you , your caregiver wife and Oly will do just fine. (---:

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I have never met one person with a liver transplant it’s actually pretty rare to receive one, after 2 1/2 years
I just started going to a gym paid for by my insurance I’m 65 and it was part of one extra policies, I recommend everyone going to one whether in a pool , lifting light weights, leg presses just anything to keep you getting stronger mentally a game changer I see people in wheelchairs so no excuses

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2 replies
chickytina | @chickytina | Jul 7 5:17pm

I am not sure how far out you are from having your surgery or if it is less of a risk for being immune compromised, but I still wear my mask every time that I am around people (grocery shopping included). I had a double lung transplant a little over 3 years ago and have what they call chronic rejection (my values go up and down throughout the month/year). So I am extra careful. I know others that aren't as careful though.

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Alex | @mjolnir64 | Jul 7 4:34pm
In reply to @melbourneaussie69 "I have been through very similar thought processes post-transplant. I don't lick my fingers anymore I..." + (show)
@melbourneaussie69

I have been through very similar thought processes post-transplant. I don't lick my fingers anymore I grab the bags need and go to the ice underneath the vegetables and wet my fingers there. I have a habit that my wife hates when shopping. If someone coughs in my face, I thank them for their inconsideration and lecture them on proper etiquette.

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I'm not fortunate enough to have any stores that use ice anymore. That would be great, I think I'm envious!

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melbourneaussie69 | @melbourneaussie69 | Jul 7 4:12pm

I have been through very similar thought processes post-transplant. I don't lick my fingers anymore I grab the bags need and go to the ice underneath the vegetables and wet my fingers there. I have a habit that my wife hates when shopping. If someone coughs in my face, I thank them for their inconsideration and lecture them on proper etiquette.

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2 replies
Alex | @mjolnir64 | Jul 7 3:35pm
In reply to @footballmum "Good morning from Canada I can totally emphasize. We need to constantly be aware of the..." + (show)
@footballmum

Good morning from Canada
I can totally emphasize. We need to constantly be aware of the "little" day to day things not just the big ones. I learned that if you rub the opening end of the plastic bag it will open for you. No more licking the fingers. No more hanging your toothbrush in the holder, you must now keep it a travel tube all the time.

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Are you doing something different than I am? I've always pinched the bag between thumb and forefinger to "rub" the top of the bag, moistening them improves the grip.
When I told my wife what I'd done she replied "I moisten fingers on a piece of produce ". I'm going to try that next time!

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Alex | @mjolnir64 | Jul 7 3:21pm
In reply to @loribmt "The tip that always resonates with me from my team: There is no longer a 5..." + (show)
@loribmt

The tip that always resonates with me from my team: There is no longer a 5 second rule! If anything consumable hits the floor, consider it Lava! Pssssst, it’s gone! 😂

@footballmum Another thing you might want to try with your toothbrush is to pour a little isopropyl alcohol over brush and periodically wash the travel tube to reduce bacteria growth on both.
Instead of putting my brush in a travel tube anymore, I just tip a small bathroom paper cup on its side and lay my brush in there, then put it in the medicine cabinet. It’s protected from airborne germs and gets to air out. I’m lazy. 😅

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Yes, the 5-second rule no longer applies!
My team informed me that I would no longer be required to do anything involving our chickens!🥳

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 7 10:33am

The tip that always resonates with me from my team: There is no longer a 5 second rule! If anything consumable hits the floor, consider it Lava! Pssssst, it’s gone! 😂

@footballmum Another thing you might want to try with your toothbrush is to pour a little isopropyl alcohol over brush and periodically wash the travel tube to reduce bacteria growth on both.
Instead of putting my brush in a travel tube anymore, I just tip a small bathroom paper cup on its side and lay my brush in there, then put it in the medicine cabinet. It’s protected from airborne germs and gets to air out. I’m lazy. 😅

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