This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@taarthi, I think I have the equivalent of a Master's degree in boxing things up. Surgery was one of the few times that focusing on the "now" instead of on the surgery made sense for me.
After freaking myself out about surgery details, I realized I didn't need to know any more of the medical side of it. My surgeon and his staff were experienced, I had completed dozens of tests, been cleared by many doctors, and approved for surgery by a donor board. Mayo is the best and I feel like they truly cared for (and about) me but really, if they didn't think it would work out for you and your husband, they wouldn't risk their reputation on a surgery that isn't likely to succeed.
Look how lucky you are at all the things you can focus on besides the surgery! I don't have as many details about the recipient side of things but I know a lot of things that Moms plan when they'll be off their routine for a while, especially during the holidays. Getting ready to go and preparing for help for a few weeks after you get back can occupy a lot of your brain, As helpful as your husband may be, he won't be able to lift more than 10# for 6 weeks. That means you may need a plan for shopping and any holiday prep you want done as well as cleaning and help with your child.
Someone in your family will probably get sick, it happens. My recipient had quite few infections that she didn't even know about until test results came in but the doctors were on top of it, they are on your side and want you to succeed. Every week will be different but every week will also get you closer to a new healthy life.

I had my kidney transplant 7 months ago and my daughter was the donor. I remember how scary it was before, anticipating the day. We were together in preop and I was shaking. I was asked more than once if I had tremors. What was helpful was my daughter’s enthusiasm. She was actually looking forward to it and the time off work for r & r. We rented a house in Rochester for the long stay there and had family taking care of me and my husband who has dementia. Today I feel great and can’t believe that I had a transplant, which has been my biggest fear for 20 yrs. The low belly pain, when standing or walking lasted for about 7 weeks. Try to concentrate on after the surgery and your great new life. I’m so grateful that I was so fortunate to have the transplant with such a wonderful donor as I was too old to get on a list.

cmael, I don't remember reading this anywhere - Does your daughter have any young children? This seems to be another thing that taarthi is concerned about.

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Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who replied to my post!! My eyes welled up reading all your responses. This is just amazing to hear from people who have been through this. People around me mean well but they have not been through this. They sometimes don't know what to say or say the wrong thing (Of course with good intentions). I am finding myself being so unstable emotionally as I am emotional, anxious, guilty and what not. On top of this, all these emotions are not letting me sleep making the situation worse. I appreciate all your responses and I will read them over and over again as they help me relax, LOL. Thanks again 🙂

No, our grandchildren are all grown. My family knows that if anyone is sick, they need to stay away. However, that being said, my grandson got married in California 2 1/2 mos after my transplant. I asked my nephrologist if it would be alright for me to go and go by air. He said that would be ok. I go out and about quite a bit and worked as an election judge at a nursing home, the primaries and the general election. I haven’t been sick at all, but of course try to be cautious. We also have two dogs and two cats. I wash my hands often. I hope that helps with the fear of living with a transplant.

No, our grandchildren are all grown. My family knows that if anyone is sick, they need to stay away. However, that being said, my grandson got married in California 2 1/2 mos after my transplant. I asked my nephrologist if it would be alright for me to go and go by air. He said that would be ok. I go out and about quite a bit and worked as an election judge at a nursing home, the primaries and the general election. I haven’t been sick at all, but of course try to be cautious. We also have two dogs and two cats. I wash my hands often. I hope that helps with the fear of living with a transplant.

@cmael My transplant team told me not to travel domestically for 6 months, and a year internationally. I think they take a hard line but if you are doing well they will give you some leeway. As it turned out there was no pressing need to travel within that time so I did no travel for a year.
Were you told to wear a mask when flying? I got some at CVS that had an antiviral coating.
An interesting thing I read somewhere, not specific to post transplant patients - the window seats have fewer germs than the aisle seats! There is a larger concentration of germs floating around where there is more open space. Unfortunately I have somewhat of an incontinence problem so if I sit by the window I have to disrupt people.
JK

Actually, I asked about a mask and he said that wasn’t necessary, but it was up to me. I mentioned that I’ve seen several patients with masks in the transplant dr appt’s waiting area. He said those are mostly cancer patients. I did see recently that the window seats have less germs, I also have a pretty ID bracelet with my Mayo patient no., contact info etc on it, just in case.

I don’t know why the transplant dr I saw seemed pretty relaxed about my traveling, but then again I think of all of the people we come in contact with while traveling through the halls and elevators at Mayo.