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This and That and Talk - My Transplant
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?
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@rosemarya - I tried to direct message you but your name did not come up and when I typed it in it said there was no one as @rosemarya. Maybe you can direct message me and I can respond.
Hi @mauraacro, I encourage you to share your journey as a living donor here on Connect. I might suggest starting a new discussion dedicated to the topic. Learning through your experience will be a huge help to future donors, and will invite other donors to share their stories. As you said, the health care professionals tell you the stuff they feel you "need to know" which largely focuses on the medical necessities. But there is so much more that people "want to know" -- the practical stuff, the experiential stuff that you just don't learn about from pamphlets etc.
Here’s how to start a new discussion:
1. Go to the Transplants group homepage here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
2. Click the START A DISCUSSION button.
3. Enter a title.
4. Write your message.
5. Click CREATE DISCUSSION
I look forward to hearing more about your journey.
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1 ReactionThanks rosemay
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1 Reaction@glinda, I want to check in with you before you begin to pack and get busy with your week. I know what you mean about worrying, I do too before my routine annual evaluation. And I worry even more on those 'special event' years. I am always so-o-o relieved when I get that final, "See you next year" from the transplant dept!
I'll be thinking of you, and I'll say a prayer for your safe travel and good results. However, I will still be sound asleep when you have to get those predawn labs drawn!
Unplug! Take yourself offline, and get some rest between your appointments. We will look forward to hearing from you when you get back home:-)
Hugs,
Rosemary
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3 Reactions@hopeful33250 Thanks, Teresa.
JK
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1 ReactionThank you for sharing! A journal is a great idea, it may help me to explain to others why I think being a living donor is so important (besides the obvious). and while parts of it have been inconvenient for me, it's so inconsequential in the big picture. The benefits to me and my family far outweigh any discomfort I've had or will have. We have learned so much about my medical history, about how to remain healthy or do even better. We've talked about our futures and our goals. We've learned about how we can help others and how to ask for help. We are a close family but like most people we get too busy to really talk, this has brought us closer together.
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2 Reactions@rosemaya, thank you and yeah this year I am a little worried as I'm due to have my right heart catheterization and angiogram and am a little worried as have not been doing my greatest this year have had 3 rounds of amtibiotics and 2 rounds of prednisone due to uti's which I never ever had in my life until this year and due to my asthma being so bad I don't normally worry about the angiogramor the right heart catheterization but with taking the preds it has a tendency of drop my natural cortisone levels way below normal and i have a tendency to get sick even more then with kust having a suppressed immune system and i also REMEMBER having having to use a wheelchair before and after my transplant but I never give up on myself and never will at anytime so even though I am worried I do know in my heart that everything will be fine with my yearly I just happen to be a worrier simetimes but am always an optimist also will keep you posted on how things go at my yearly
Glinda
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3 Reactions@mauraacro, I just remembered that I wore something soft against my surgical area. That prevented irritation from any rubbing.
Rosemary
I also would like for you to meet @fauneconner. She is also soon to be a living kidney donor.
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2 Reactions@fauneconner, I want to introduce you to @mauraacro. Like you, she is about to donate one of her kidneys. And is also preparing for her trip to Mayo Rochester.
Do you have any firsthand information that you can share with her? Or any suggestions?
Rosemary
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2 ReactionsThank you for your cold weather advice! I wear a lot of dress and skirts but didn't think about the thigh high option. I think with the popularity of leggings and yoga pants, I can probably find quite a few things to wear that will be comfortable. The recipient made my flight reservations and I will have quite a few days after surgery before I need to get on a plane. I am grateful for that!
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2 Reactions