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.

I had kidney transplant 8 mos ago at Mayo Rochester. I was told to plan on a four week stay. It turned out to a few days less. I was in the hospital for 5 days, but could have been 4 days if I hadn’t had a problem with diarrhea. The Gift of Life transplant house is a place that’s very reasonable for you and a caretaker. My family and I rented a home from Airbnb which was perfect for us. My daughter was the donor. She was in the hospital 3 nights, but she could have gone home a day earlier also, but chose to stay because of shoulder/chest pain from the air inflation. She took 4 weeks off, but could have gone back sooner. It depends on how physical your job is. My insurance paid for gas, lodging and parking. I was very grateful for that!

REPLY

Well I just got back from Mayo ..I had a liver transplant 20 years ago and now my kidneys are failing from the drugs .. So I was put on the list but my sister went to get tested this week and we found out she is a perfect match !!!! So before we left we picked a day and I will be having surgery on the 21 year anniversary of my liver transplant March 8 2019 !! So in 10 weeks we will be back down to Mayo for the big day .... I was kinda wondering For the people out there who had a kidney transplant how long was you stay in the hospital and then how long did you have to stay in the area ? Linda want to get some kind of idea cause I’m looking at renting an apartment or you can do it Daily ??? Also anything else I need to prepare ahead of time .. obviously work and insurance... please let me know and Happy Holidays to all !!
Thanks Rose

REPLY
@contentandwell

@jeanne5009 I have to get on the bandwagon of cookie making too but my son and daughter will not be here until the 26th so I have some time, except for people I want to gift with goodies.
I was like you with drinking. I did drink a glass of wine each evening with dinner and I still miss that but I gave it up of course. I learned a lesson from that too. My son and husband often gifted me with wines more expensive than I would purchase so those were put aside for a special occasion or for when I felt like indulging myself. I ended up having to give them away since most were white or mild reds and my husband, son, and daughter, like cabs.
JK

Jump to this post

I have so much to do I don't miss it is at a all. No big a deal

REPLY
@rosemarya

@gaylea1, I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing with your recovery? I know that the post transplant period it is a busy time, and sometimes can become complicated with setbacks. I hope that you are making progress and will be able to enjoy some holiday time with your loved ones.

Jump to this post

@gaylea1
Merry Christmas! 2019 should be looking real good to you

REPLY
@rosemarya

@taarthi, I Hope that you are packed and ready for your big event. I want you to know that I will be thinking of you this week. Hugs.

Jump to this post

@taarthi you must be getting really excited to see the end of your pain finally in sight. I can almost feel that myself, vicariously.
JK

REPLY
@rosemarya

@gaylea1, I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing with your recovery? I know that the post transplant period it is a busy time, and sometimes can become complicated with setbacks. I hope that you are making progress and will be able to enjoy some holiday time with your loved ones.

Jump to this post

@gaylea1 I agree with Rosemary in hoping that you are making progress. Please update us when you feel up to it.
JK

REPLY
@taarthi

@rosemarya I am amazed at how awesome you are that you remember everyone so well and truly connect with them. What a kind person you are!

I have not started packing yet. I plan to do that the weekend of December 15 as we would leave home on December 18. We did buy loose fitting sweat pants and shirts, comfortable slip on shoes, pillow. So it is just a matter of putting them in a bag. I am planning to pack my make up kit, personal hygiene items, chapstick, socks. My husband gifted me a new laptop and a wireless headset that I need to pack too. I don't mean to sound braggy but little things make me happy. Someone at my workplace told me to enjoy the 8 weeks off of work and I said I will! I am hoping that everything goes well. Let us see.

Jump to this post

@taarthi, I Hope that you are packed and ready for your big event. I want you to know that I will be thinking of you this week. Hugs.

REPLY
@gaylea1

@jeanne5009 Hi there! Yes I'm from London Ontario. I just received the new liver and had my transplant here University Hospital Transplant Clinic.. needless to say I am ecstatic!

Jump to this post

@gaylea1, I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing with your recovery? I know that the post transplant period it is a busy time, and sometimes can become complicated with setbacks. I hope that you are making progress and will be able to enjoy some holiday time with your loved ones.

REPLY
@gingerw

@contentandwell Today I will make some peppermint bark for husband to take in to his work. Then Tues make another batch for the prayer shawl group meeting on Wed. In years past I did cookies or fruitcake. But having a sweet tooth, it became too much for me. I can't have chocolate, don't like chocolate, so making the bark is ok. Like you and @jeanne5009 wine was always in my pantry, with a glass or two at night. Now, it is a homemade wine cooler or small hard cider once a week, maybe. Ah, how things change!
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw I made snickerdoodles for the first time last year and loved them. My daughter and I love nutmeg so I mixed that with the cinnamon, put white chocolate chips in, and they were delicious.
Having had a liver transplant alcohol is taboo. My surgeon did say once in a great while for a very special occasion, I could have a glass of wine. So last year at my daughter's wedding I did have a glass of champagne. I haven't actually seen a reason to not drink as long as you exercise extreme moderation, and I have heard of some people whose doctors said once a month, but I am going with the absolute rules.
JK

REPLY
@contentandwell

@jeanne5009 I have to get on the bandwagon of cookie making too but my son and daughter will not be here until the 26th so I have some time, except for people I want to gift with goodies.
I was like you with drinking. I did drink a glass of wine each evening with dinner and I still miss that but I gave it up of course. I learned a lesson from that too. My son and husband often gifted me with wines more expensive than I would purchase so those were put aside for a special occasion or for when I felt like indulging myself. I ended up having to give them away since most were white or mild reds and my husband, son, and daughter, like cabs.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Today I will make some peppermint bark for husband to take in to his work. Then Tues make another batch for the prayer shawl group meeting on Wed. In years past I did cookies or fruitcake. But having a sweet tooth, it became too much for me. I can't have chocolate, don't like chocolate, so making the bark is ok. Like you and @jeanne5009 wine was always in my pantry, with a glass or two at night. Now, it is a homemade wine cooler or small hard cider once a week, maybe. Ah, how things change!
Ginger

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.