1. < Transplants

Medic Alert

Posted by jodeej @jodeej, Aug 12, 2018

I'm just curious how many of you wear medic alerts since your transplants? I've talked with my husband about it but he's reluctant too wear anything. I think it's because he doesn't want to wear "jewelry".
Blessings,
JoDee

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

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 15, 2018
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@rosemarya Since your a member already you should have an advance directive on file." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@rosemarya

Since your a member already you should have an advance directive on file.

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@jakedduck1, Thanks for looking after my best interests!
I do have my PCP listed. In my case, as a transplant recipient at Mayo Clinic, I have a 24/7 phone contact with Mayo Transplant Dept. and this is prominent in my patient information.
I am not sure what kind of a letter that you are referring to.

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 15, 2018
In reply to @ca426 "I printed off a card that you can write your info. on , there are several..." + (show)
@ca426

I printed off a card that you can write your info. on , there are several online...mine was free but some of the nicer ones cost a bit.

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@allegro, I am glad that you found the information helpful to learn about this disease. I can only try to imagine your fear and shock at this new diagnosis for your husband. Wow, 65 yrs is beautiful! I have 22 yrs to go to catch up to you.
You say that you are new to this disease. Did your doctor give you any information to read? What did he tell you about the rate of progression for your husband?

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jeanne5009 | @jeanne5009 | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@contentandwell If you choose a card in your wallet also list your medications Name of your..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@contentandwell

If you choose a card in your wallet also list your medications Name of your doctor, phone number any allergies, insurance information, letter from your doctor if you have a transplant, all medical conditions, blood type etc.
Jake

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@contentsndwell
I use Carezone.com
I will do many of the same things and more. I keep the app on my homescreen so emergency info is easy for snyone to find.

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 19, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "I talked to my "favorite" firefighter today. He explained to me his experience as a First..." + (show)
@rosemarya

I talked to my "favorite" firefighter today. He explained to me his experience as a First Responder.

-As a professional firefighter with EMT training and certification, his role is to treat accident victims until the ambulance and medics arrive (matter of minutes) Mostly they work to stop bleeding, open airways... They only carry only a few medications. Then the EMT takes over and transport patient to the nearest trauma center. (usually 4 minutes away for his district) So it would be the trauma team who would be checking the medical ID's - if the patient is unconscious, or unable to communicate or alone with no one to speak for them. He said that the EMT's might need to check information if there is a long transport (rural areas) or if there is an airlift transport.
-He said that the EMT training manual does include information about the neck or bracelet IDs.
-Firefighters and EMT's will NOT go thru someone's purse or wallet. But , they do send the purse along to the trauma center with the patient.

We are all different. We all have different needs. This is his experience, and his department's standard of practice. It might give you some ideas to consider.

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@rosemarya Just yesterday I was in class for CERT [community emergency response team], and the firefighters brought this same thing up. We were going through field First Aid training. I had spoken to my husband earlier this week after reading this thread. He was supposed to wear an alert when he was on PD before the transplant, but never did. Not sure if he understands it is a measure of care and concern for me, that he has info available to emergency personnel. Not everyone carries a phone everywhere, and an emergency can happen at any time. I am leaning towards Medic Alert, for the ability to store data.

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 23, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@jakedduck1 If your bracelet is sterling, can't you just clean it yourself with a good silver..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@jakedduck1 If your bracelet is sterling, can't you just clean it yourself with a good silver cleaner? I generally do unless I really destroy the finish by forgetting to take something off when I am in the chlorinated pool.
For those of you who have had transplants and wear these bracelets, what do you put on them, just "liver transplant patient"? If I do choose to get one I would like gold since I spend a lot of time in the pool but solid gold sure is pricey. I don't believe that gold-filled lasts long if wearing constantly, I've never had it.
JK

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@rosemarya I spoke to my husband, and ordered him a bracelet. It will give me peace of mind. I also ordered one for me, as I am a CKD patient (stage 3b), and allergic to bee stings and some medications. I feel the annual fee is a small price to pay for ease of mind. Both of these are through Medic Alert, thanks to all the information people shared here and my own research on the internet.

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 23, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@jakedduck1 If your bracelet is sterling, can't you just clean it yourself with a good silver..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@jakedduck1 If your bracelet is sterling, can't you just clean it yourself with a good silver cleaner? I generally do unless I really destroy the finish by forgetting to take something off when I am in the chlorinated pool.
For those of you who have had transplants and wear these bracelets, what do you put on them, just "liver transplant patient"? If I do choose to get one I would like gold since I spend a lot of time in the pool but solid gold sure is pricey. I don't believe that gold-filled lasts long if wearing constantly, I've never had it.
JK

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@gingerw, I hope that you, your husband, and I never need to use it!

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1 reply
Judyth | @judyth | Aug 25, 2018

I hadn’t thought about one but I think I will get one AFTER my transplant. There seems to be so much to do! House/cat sitter, clothes to pack, visit Trans House, get house clean before I go go down, etc....
How do you all manage getting ready?

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2 replies
jodeej | @jodeej | Aug 26, 2018
In reply to @judyth "I hadn’t thought about one but I think I will get one AFTER my transplant. There..." + (show)
@judyth

I hadn’t thought about one but I think I will get one AFTER my transplant. There seems to be so much to do! House/cat sitter, clothes to pack, visit Trans House, get house clean before I go go down, etc....
How do you all manage getting ready?

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@judyth I made a list of what needed done and just worked on one or two things a day. First and foremost I had our bag packed for the call. Every few weeks I'd go through it and change what clothes were in it depending on the weather. I also had a list of last minute things to put in the suitcase, like meds and etc. We were lucky in that we had church friends and family that dog sat for us. It all falls into place.
Blessings,
JoDee

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 26, 2018

@jodeej and @judyth I lived close enough to my hospital (@ 55 miles) that I knew my husband would be back and forth so I was able to just pack the essentials, and things that it would be too difficult to explain to my husband, like facial products, etc. Of course I never ended up using them anyway! We have no pets and our children are adults out on their own so none of that was a concern. Judy, how far are you from your transplant center? That of course makes a big difference.
Jodee is right, it all falls into place. As I have mention in other postings, I never did get my journal packed and my husband could not find it. That is my one regret, that I didn't have it there in the hospital to record everything because I was sort of drugged up a lot so my memories are vague or non-existent.
JK

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 26, 2018
In reply to @judyth "I hadn’t thought about one but I think I will get one AFTER my transplant. There..." + (show)
@judyth

I hadn’t thought about one but I think I will get one AFTER my transplant. There seems to be so much to do! House/cat sitter, clothes to pack, visit Trans House, get house clean before I go go down, etc....
How do you all manage getting ready?

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@judyth, Yes, there is so much to do, and I know from my own experience that your head must be spinning. Be assured that you are not alone in the confusion and stress of the pre-planning.
Here are some conversations that I want to share with you. I invite you to join into the conversations- just jump right in. You are welcome anytime/anywhere! You will meet others who are going thru the same thing. Don't be put off by the designation of Liver or Kidney - It is all about getting ready!

-Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/
-Are there any other pre-liver transplant caregivers out there?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-there-any-other-pre-liver-transplant-caregivers-out-there/
,

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