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Mentor

This and That and Talk - My Transplant

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Apr 9, 2017

As our Mayo Connect community grows, I am constantly meeting organ transplant members on a wide variety of forums with a wide range of issues that are not directly transplant specific. However, because we are all transplant recipients, we have a special connection: a unique journey and best of all - a new life! We don't always need help or advice. Many times we just want to chat with someone like us! That is my purpose in starting This and That and Talk.

Drop in and say 'Hi'. You are welcome anytime.

What do you want t to talk about? What words can you offer to someone who is on the journey? Do you have any questions for another recipient?

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

dcwilkie | @dcwilkie | Dec 29, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "Sunscreen and sun protection!!! Yesterday the temperature reached a beautiful sunny 80 degrees here :-) Hubby..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Sunscreen and sun protection!!!
Yesterday the temperature reached a beautiful sunny 80 degrees here 🙂 Hubby and I went for a hike. It was through a forested area and after a climb, we were on a ridge top in total sun. So here is me: long hiking pants, and a long sleeve shirt (my preference to all-over-body sunscreen), and a broad brimmed hat and sunscreen on face, neck, hands. .
I once had a man tell me that I was not dressed for the weather while on a hike. grrrrh

How do you do the sun protection?

Sending you sunshine,
Rosemary

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I'm with you...much rather wear long sleeves than sunscreen! I often wear a seasonally appropriate tank or t-shirt with a loose long sleeved shirt open over it. Arms and neck are protected well without sunscreen.

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2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 29, 2019
In reply to @tsreever "could someone please explain why the comments about sunscreen and being in the sun? Is this..." + (show)
@tsreever

could someone please explain why the comments about sunscreen and being in the sun? Is this post-transplant, and you need to avoid the sun?

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@tsreever, Welcome to Connect. Your question is an excellent one. I am not sure which comments you are referring to, however, Yes, sun protection is necessary after transplant. Have you seen the explanation from @estrada53 which states the reasons why transplant patients need to limit, or avoid sun.

Here is some more about sunscreen protection - Groups>Transplants>Anyone have tips on sun protection? (Click on this link) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-tips-on-sun-protection/

@tsreever, What brings you to Connect? Are you a Patient? Recipient? Caregiver?

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estrada53 | @estrada53 | Dec 28, 2019

All recipients of organ transplants take powerful anti-rejection meds that affect our immune systems. Post- transplant patients have a higher percentage of likelihood to get cancer. Here in Arizona skin cancer is a real possibility. Sunscreen is a must. Hope that answers your question. Other folks may have additional information.

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tsreever | @tsreever | Dec 28, 2019

could someone please explain why the comments about sunscreen and being in the sun? Is this post-transplant, and you need to avoid the sun?

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1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 28, 2019

I am on the road again today, and headed for my granddaughter's 7th birthday party! She is our only grandchild and is the extra special blessings that I have received since my transplant in '09.

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1 reply
jeanne5009 | @jeanne5009 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "@livertrex, I'm so happy that the surgery went well for you. And I am sad about..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@livertrex, I'm so happy that the surgery went well for you. And I am sad about the pain that you are experiencing. Is your team aware of the pain level?
I hope that you can get some rest and begin to heal.

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I have been following along and agree that communication with your docs on
pain are good practice for all of us.
I visited my own GP today due to bronchitis and stomach virus. Fighting
this over Christmas pre and post. Today as a belated present...my doc
ordered up 2 shots. Prednisone and antibiotic..hope they work..sick of
being sick.
Haven&apos;t been real active lately as my beloved cat Cami developed throat
cancer and had to be put down. It went very quickly and there weren&apos;t any
viable options. She was my therapy and love. So..seeing my unhappiness my
daughter, who lives next door helped me research and find my new Christmas
rescue kitty! Maggie is my new Maine Coon companion and is providing me
with more energy and happiness than I thought I ever had...When I&apos;m
exhausted she is right there on the bed with me. Follows me
everywhere..even to the bathroom in the middle of the night. She is
extremely smart which challenges my brain to focus. And of course she is
close to my daughter too...should I have to go to the hospital.
Liverwise....I&apos;m doing a great job managing so far they tell me. So I keep
reading and following orders...
Best wishes to all over this holiday season.. it can be stressful for many.
We are in this together and as we approach 2020, I am ever so grateful for
your advice and support. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @livertrex "Surgery.went fine however pain is the worst.." + (show)
@livertrex

Surgery.went fine however pain is the worst..

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@livertrex, I'm so happy that the surgery went well for you. And I am sad about the pain that you are experiencing. Is your team aware of the pain level?
I hope that you can get some rest and begin to heal.

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1 reply
livertrex | @livertrex | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @gaylea1 "@livertrex I'm glad the surgery went well. Sorry to hear though about the pain. I experienced..." + (show)
@gaylea1

@livertrex I'm glad the surgery went well. Sorry to hear though about the pain. I experienced the same and didnt bounce back as quickly as the initial surgery. It does eventually subside but as we didn't hava a choice about the 2nd surgery it turned out to be just an additional leg on our journey to recovery. I hope that the healing process goes quickly for you.

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Thanks for the support.

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gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @livertrex "Surgery.went fine however pain is the worst.." + (show)
@livertrex

Surgery.went fine however pain is the worst..

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@livertrex I'm glad the surgery went well. Sorry to hear though about the pain. I experienced the same and didnt bounce back as quickly as the initial surgery. It does eventually subside but as we didn't hava a choice about the 2nd surgery it turned out to be just an additional leg on our journey to recovery. I hope that the healing process goes quickly for you.

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livertrex | @livertrex | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @livertrex "This is the main heptic artery into the liver. I am at Mayo in AZ. After..." + (show)
@livertrex

This is the main heptic artery into the liver. I am at Mayo in AZ. After
going in through my artery through the groin into my liver they determined
that the only way to repair was to open me back up and cut the artery again
and replace with a donor artery. Bummer. I can&apos;t find any information on
the net, and if this is a common surgery. I guess it the only option. I
was just trying to find out if anyone has had a similar problem with their
heptic artery.

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Surgery.went fine however pain is the worst..

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