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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.

JK | @contentandwell | Jun 5, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

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@rosemarya, having both would definitely complicate matters. I too have to be careful of sodium, they say no more than 2000 mg a day but I try to keep it under 1500. If I don't I can feel the fluid retention. My bp has also increased. I know the meds are responsible for a lot, thankfully they will hopefully keep us rejection-free but their side-effects can be a real nuisance.
I am still seeing my transplant team every three months, it's only been a little over 9 months. I have an appointment on Wednesday.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 5, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

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@hopeful33250 There is a club on the main road basically within walking distance from our home that is 24/7 but I need the pool and they do not have one. Plus I think I would be sort of creeped-out being alone there.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 5, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

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@hopeful33250 I think these medigap plans are generally the same but I do not think mine covers that. I may check on that. Mine is run by Bankers Life, I don't know if that is national or regional.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 5, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@lcamino Lynn, you are so right, the doctors know a lot but certainly not everything. I became so conscious of this when I went for so long without a diagnosis. At the same time my nephew was having brain problems. It was very scary. He's in his 40s with two little girls. My sister was so distraught. It took a long time to find out what the problem but finally after numerous doctors someone figured it out and he had brain surgery and has been great ever since, thank God.
Between his experience and mine I figure that is why they call medicine a "practice".
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 5, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@lcamino We can only be so thankful that we have such supportive families. It must have been difficult to make the choice to travel, but it is your life. With me the choice was difficult because I had a wonderful hospital and of course preferred to be there, but it looked like I could get transplanted sooner at Mayo.
I hope all goes well with your appointment. Please let us know how it went.
JK

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 6, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell The discount is offered through AARP's United Health Care so probably Banker's Life would not offer it, but it is worth checking into. Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 6, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Good point - medicine is a practice and we all wish it were perfected! Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 6, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell I agree, the pool is very important, that is why I use my AARP benefits there. I never go there late at night, however, my daughter is a shift-worker (R.N.) and she has been there late at night and has never felt uncomfortable. Probably 24/7 places are best for shift workers. Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 6, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell It sounds like you work hard at the sodium level - that must be hard because there is so much sodium in almost everything, especially when you eat out. Praying that your appointment goes well tomorrow! Teresa

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 6, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew..." + (show)
@2011panc

@Contentandwell, You are right about sunscreen. I have never had a problem with sunburn and grew up on a farm. I have also been advised to use a good sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher was recommended at the time, so you know how long ago that was!), but have never gotten into the habit. I use positioning more than sunscreen to protect myself. Since I have allergies I do not miss being outside much.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 I do hard on it when at home and I try to go to restaurants that are able to customize but sometimes it's impossible when out. We are going away in the fall with my son and his girlfriend. I was thinking a hotel but he pushed for a VRBO and I am so glad now because I won't have to deal with a lot of eating out. We will go out a few times of course but overall I can cook what will work for me. I have always avoided condos in the past because if I am on vacation I want to relax, not cook, but this time it is the best option.
JK

REPLY
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