Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Posted by lmctif @lmctif, Oct 29, 2018

What topics do people who are waiting for a liver transplant want to talk about? Who has had a liver transplant and wants to talk about?

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

@wildcat

Hi @xplantsister

You sent me a private message and I was happy to reply. Did you receive it? I just wanted to check that the information I gave to you was useful. I don't know how to send a private message hence this public one! I hope that's okay.

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@wildcat,i @xplantsister
How to Send a Private Message - Click on this link then scroll down to find illistrated directions for How to Send a Private Message.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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@rosemarya

Are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care?

I have safely traveled by car and had my annual checkup for my liver and kidney transplant. My original appointment that was set for late April was rescheduled for June. When it was confirmed that my June appointment was going to happen, I was not sure if I wanted to keep the appointment. Like many of you, I live at a distance from my transplant center. I was afraid of the travel, lodging, eating along the way.
Now, that I have the experience behind me, I am happy that I took advantage of the safe travel guidelines that Mayo has shared. My husband and I made the trip and were able to protect ourselves as we made the 750 mile trip.
The entire staff and patients at Mayo were exceptional in their adherence to safe protocol. I do have to admit, though, that I am happy to be back in my home, safe and secure. I am even happier that I had another thorough checkup for my beautiful transplant!
Safe Travel Tips - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safety-tips/

-Since we are practicing safe distancing, There is plenty of room for everybody. New Members Welcome.
Welcome back - @michaelswaim, @jerrynord, @tjgisewhite, @autoimmunecirr, @gphetteplace, @frmike, @jacinta, @jsw, @contentandwell, @benlam11, @brantodd1, @xplantsister, @wildcat, @des46893, @msgtrebholtz, @gaylea1, @joanaiken, @rowdyramsey, @stella25, @ca426, @jeanne5009, @jdlogan65, @jacqualin, @jolinda, @beckyy39, @jodeej, @racing212, @manuelhsilva, @brianna, @danab, @khh, @seahorstmayo, @suzeaz, @birdienanie, @biteme, @lisamb, @1bigblacksuv, and anyone that I missed.

How are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care? Have you kept up with labs? Have you had a virtual visit? Have you had an in-person visit?

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@rosemarya Hi and great to hear everything went well. I actually have been to Mayo Phoenix a few times now for labs and a Drs apt. Plus some testing on a issue im having with my prostate. I saw a little blood just a few drops while urinating but had a zoom visit with that doctor and following up next month in person. But just as you said Mayo is doing well keeping us safe and I did get tested for covid for a Angiogram test and was negative. I decided back when this started not to go to outside labs mainly because the ones near me were usually crowded and I believe at Mayo labs it was safer.
I've had a couple of IVIG treatments also and everyone is masked plus sanitizing so feeling pretty good about the risk of catching it.

I was a little concerned tho on an article from the journal of Medicine that mentioned a study done in England that is showing certain blood types get the virus more severe and mine was at the top Type A and O was the least likely to get a severe case.

Also, it seems my area in Arizona is having a bit of an increase and even in my area there have been some deaths so im staying vigilant not exposing myself like it seems others are
Still attending Church Services online and only getting out during my morning walks. My wife what a trooper is doing most of the other needs like grocery shopping, Mail box checking etc. I am missing all the things I used to love Attending Church, Golf, eating out with friends so im looking forward to a vaccine it seems is the only solution for us transplant folks. We did do a hotel stay for a few days when I had my angiogram so my wife could have somewhere to wait.
I thought the hotel did great on keeping everyone safe. Staff wore masks and room cleaning was between guest stays. If we wanted towel exchange we would put them in a bag and the fresh one's would be given at the door. Well that's about it.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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@rosemarya

Are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care?

I have safely traveled by car and had my annual checkup for my liver and kidney transplant. My original appointment that was set for late April was rescheduled for June. When it was confirmed that my June appointment was going to happen, I was not sure if I wanted to keep the appointment. Like many of you, I live at a distance from my transplant center. I was afraid of the travel, lodging, eating along the way.
Now, that I have the experience behind me, I am happy that I took advantage of the safe travel guidelines that Mayo has shared. My husband and I made the trip and were able to protect ourselves as we made the 750 mile trip.
The entire staff and patients at Mayo were exceptional in their adherence to safe protocol. I do have to admit, though, that I am happy to be back in my home, safe and secure. I am even happier that I had another thorough checkup for my beautiful transplant!
Safe Travel Tips - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safety-tips/

-Since we are practicing safe distancing, There is plenty of room for everybody. New Members Welcome.
Welcome back - @michaelswaim, @jerrynord, @tjgisewhite, @autoimmunecirr, @gphetteplace, @frmike, @jacinta, @jsw, @contentandwell, @benlam11, @brantodd1, @xplantsister, @wildcat, @des46893, @msgtrebholtz, @gaylea1, @joanaiken, @rowdyramsey, @stella25, @ca426, @jeanne5009, @jdlogan65, @jacqualin, @jolinda, @beckyy39, @jodeej, @racing212, @manuelhsilva, @brianna, @danab, @khh, @seahorstmayo, @suzeaz, @birdienanie, @biteme, @lisamb, @1bigblacksuv, and anyone that I missed.

How are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care? Have you kept up with labs? Have you had a virtual visit? Have you had an in-person visit?

Jump to this post

@rosemarya We are basically not leaving the house still except for medical appointments, and walks in our well spaced out neighborhood and a really nice trail maintained by the state, The Granite State Rail Trail. We pass maybe 3 or four couples while walking and we and they walk single file on opposite sides of the trail when that happens.
My husband did go to get a haircut last week. The same day he had to go for pre-appointment lab work at his oncologist. The safety measures at the salon were more protective than at the doctor's! He couldn't even come in the door until his temperature was taken.

My son and daughter-in-law have been isolating but are going on the large annual vacation that all of his wife's relatives go to on the coast of SC. I am not happy about that, I think there will be about 20 - 30 people there and many are working outside of their homes. I suspect there may be pressure for them to go. We told them to not come here. Not only would he feel forever guilty if he brought any germs here, but I would feel forever guilty if either of them contracted the virus while traveling.

Since my daughter and her husband are isolating I am thinking they can probably come. I hope so. They can make the drive directly.

I do have some medical appointments coming in July. I'm a bit apprehensive but on the other hand it might be nice to get out of the house! I am really getting so sick of having groceries delivered. I really have to plan ahead, plus I much prefer to choose my own produce and meat.
JK

REPLY
@rosemarya

Are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care?

I have safely traveled by car and had my annual checkup for my liver and kidney transplant. My original appointment that was set for late April was rescheduled for June. When it was confirmed that my June appointment was going to happen, I was not sure if I wanted to keep the appointment. Like many of you, I live at a distance from my transplant center. I was afraid of the travel, lodging, eating along the way.
Now, that I have the experience behind me, I am happy that I took advantage of the safe travel guidelines that Mayo has shared. My husband and I made the trip and were able to protect ourselves as we made the 750 mile trip.
The entire staff and patients at Mayo were exceptional in their adherence to safe protocol. I do have to admit, though, that I am happy to be back in my home, safe and secure. I am even happier that I had another thorough checkup for my beautiful transplant!
Safe Travel Tips - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safety-tips/

-Since we are practicing safe distancing, There is plenty of room for everybody. New Members Welcome.
Welcome back - @michaelswaim, @jerrynord, @tjgisewhite, @autoimmunecirr, @gphetteplace, @frmike, @jacinta, @jsw, @contentandwell, @benlam11, @brantodd1, @xplantsister, @wildcat, @des46893, @msgtrebholtz, @gaylea1, @joanaiken, @rowdyramsey, @stella25, @ca426, @jeanne5009, @jdlogan65, @jacqualin, @jolinda, @beckyy39, @jodeej, @racing212, @manuelhsilva, @brianna, @danab, @khh, @seahorstmayo, @suzeaz, @birdienanie, @biteme, @lisamb, @1bigblacksuv, and anyone that I missed.

How are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care? Have you kept up with labs? Have you had a virtual visit? Have you had an in-person visit?

Jump to this post

Good morning @rosemarya ! We are currently at appointment #3 for Tim's annual checkup. It is crazy to see how everything is different, yet the same. I was extremely nervous about traveling here but that actually went smoothly. I did notice that people working in locally owned gas stations in smaller towns don't wear masks, but in the larger/corporate ones they do wear them.

Tim's recent appointment with his neurologist was a telehealth visit. We scheduled his next one as a telehealth also. It was a good appointment, but like the doctor said, there are things you can't pick up on via video.

On a side note, we are staying at the Gift of Life house. When we got our name badges and etc from our room mailbox someone had purchased a gift card to the Canadian Honker for us! What a fun and wonderful surprise!

Many blessings,
JoDee

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@wildcat

Hi @xplantsister

You sent me a private message and I was happy to reply. Did you receive it? I just wanted to check that the information I gave to you was useful. I don't know how to send a private message hence this public one! I hope that's okay.

Jump to this post

Hello @wildcat - I did not receive your message. Would it be too difficult for you to repeat here some exercises that you found helpful when you were early in your transplant recovery, e.g., a few months post-transplant and 6-months post-transplant? The MDs tell my brother to walk as much as he can, but he gets winded very quickly for various medical reasons. We try seated yoga, which he seems to tolerate better and we were wondering if pilates (which you mentioned) might be another alternative. Or, we would appreciate any thoughts on this topic from you or other transplant recipients. Thank you.

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@racing212

I stayed at the kahler as well back in March. Plan on staying there in September or October

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That was the third time we’ve stayed at the Kahler. No more breakfast buffet, but not a good idea for transplant patients anyway. Also, I needed to skip breakfast for testing.

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I stayed at the kahler as well back in March. Plan on staying there in September or October

REPLY
@rosemarya

Are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care?

I have safely traveled by car and had my annual checkup for my liver and kidney transplant. My original appointment that was set for late April was rescheduled for June. When it was confirmed that my June appointment was going to happen, I was not sure if I wanted to keep the appointment. Like many of you, I live at a distance from my transplant center. I was afraid of the travel, lodging, eating along the way.
Now, that I have the experience behind me, I am happy that I took advantage of the safe travel guidelines that Mayo has shared. My husband and I made the trip and were able to protect ourselves as we made the 750 mile trip.
The entire staff and patients at Mayo were exceptional in their adherence to safe protocol. I do have to admit, though, that I am happy to be back in my home, safe and secure. I am even happier that I had another thorough checkup for my beautiful transplant!
Safe Travel Tips - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safety-tips/

-Since we are practicing safe distancing, There is plenty of room for everybody. New Members Welcome.
Welcome back - @michaelswaim, @jerrynord, @tjgisewhite, @autoimmunecirr, @gphetteplace, @frmike, @jacinta, @jsw, @contentandwell, @benlam11, @brantodd1, @xplantsister, @wildcat, @des46893, @msgtrebholtz, @gaylea1, @joanaiken, @rowdyramsey, @stella25, @ca426, @jeanne5009, @jdlogan65, @jacqualin, @jolinda, @beckyy39, @jodeej, @racing212, @manuelhsilva, @brianna, @danab, @khh, @seahorstmayo, @suzeaz, @birdienanie, @biteme, @lisamb, @1bigblacksuv, and anyone that I missed.

How are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care? Have you kept up with labs? Have you had a virtual visit? Have you had an in-person visit?

Jump to this post

I had my 2 year checkup at Mayo,Rochester May 11,12. My husband and daughter were with. My daughter is my donor and needed to have labs done, too. We stayed at the Kahler close to the clinic and could walk to the clinic indoors. We brought most of our food with and our room had a mini kitchen. Mayo was taking every precaution to keep people safe. My new kidney is doing very well, but I’m showing signs of the BK virus. My Cellcept dose has been cut back and I’ve been having labs done every two weeks. I’m waiting to hear the results from last week’s labs.

REPLY

Are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care?

I have safely traveled by car and had my annual checkup for my liver and kidney transplant. My original appointment that was set for late April was rescheduled for June. When it was confirmed that my June appointment was going to happen, I was not sure if I wanted to keep the appointment. Like many of you, I live at a distance from my transplant center. I was afraid of the travel, lodging, eating along the way.
Now, that I have the experience behind me, I am happy that I took advantage of the safe travel guidelines that Mayo has shared. My husband and I made the trip and were able to protect ourselves as we made the 750 mile trip.
The entire staff and patients at Mayo were exceptional in their adherence to safe protocol. I do have to admit, though, that I am happy to be back in my home, safe and secure. I am even happier that I had another thorough checkup for my beautiful transplant!
Safe Travel Tips - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safety-tips/

-Since we are practicing safe distancing, There is plenty of room for everybody. New Members Welcome.
Welcome back - @michaelswaim, @jerrynord, @tjgisewhite, @autoimmunecirr, @gphetteplace, @frmike, @jacinta, @jsw, @contentandwell, @benlam11, @brantodd1, @xplantsister, @wildcat, @des46893, @msgtrebholtz, @gaylea1, @joanaiken, @rowdyramsey, @stella25, @ca426, @jeanne5009, @jdlogan65, @jacqualin, @jolinda, @beckyy39, @jodeej, @racing212, @manuelhsilva, @brianna, @danab, @khh, @seahorstmayo, @suzeaz, @birdienanie, @biteme, @lisamb, @1bigblacksuv, and anyone that I missed.

How are you keeping up with your routine transplant medical care? Have you kept up with labs? Have you had a virtual visit? Have you had an in-person visit?

REPLY
@xplantsister

Hi @wildcat, thank you for your reply - many aspects of your CMV story sound quite familiar. I am the worried caregiver and my brother is the one recovering from an early April 2020 liver transplant. Like you, the MDs are not sure if the CMV or the valganciclovir (oral - now that he's out of the hospital) and/or one of his other medications are causing some of his symptoms, including breathlessness, diarrhea and fatigue. After about 2 weeks anti-CMV treatment (7 days of IV in the hospital), the virus now is unmeasurable in his blood, but the MDs say it can continue to exist in other compartments in which it is more difficult to detect, such as the gut and, for example, cause diarrhea. Interesting story the MD told us that might be helpful for others: Another liver transplant patient cleared CMV in the blood but continued to have serious diarrhea. Turned out the virus was in her appendix and she improved as soon as they removed it (my brother no longer has his appendix, so not relevant to him). Everyone has such a journey after transplant. It is very helpful to receive the "take heart" message. I do hope we are over the worst!!

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Hi @xplantsister

You sent me a private message and I was happy to reply. Did you receive it? I just wanted to check that the information I gave to you was useful. I don't know how to send a private message hence this public one! I hope that's okay.

REPLY
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