Transplant Evaluation - What to expect

Posted by bamagirlgina @bamagirlgina, Mar 12, 2018

We received a call today from Mayo-Jax saying our referral had been approved for transplant evaluation and to schedule an appointment. We were told to expect to say up to 3 weeks for testing every day, the entire day. We were not expecting that long of an evaluation and told them we would call back tomorrow after we looked into travel/lodging arrangements. We will plan to stay the entire 3 weeks but just wondering what the general time frame it was for most people. Did it usually take the entire three weeks? And can someone give me an idea of the battery of tests/evaluations that will be included. Thanks!

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

@jeanne5009

I have set my appt for May 21st. Hopefully when I get the itinerary I will have enough time to schedule air fare for my daughter to meet with the social workers and locate lodging for what I expect to be 10 days to 2 weeks hopefully. Im lookimg forward to this. I am currently under the vare of the Tampa General Transplant group and they are also very dedicated professionals.
Im signed up for the webinar on April 26. Is there anything else I should do to prepare?
Thank you for helping me learn the ropes..

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1st change...new date of June11th. Schedule has me coming back the following Mon. for one day. No tests Friday. Wondering if they are flexible. I am trying to fly my daughter down.
Anyone know if there is shuttle from Jax airport to Mayo?

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@jeanne5009

I have set my appt for May 21st. Hopefully when I get the itinerary I will have enough time to schedule air fare for my daughter to meet with the social workers and locate lodging for what I expect to be 10 days to 2 weeks hopefully. Im lookimg forward to this. I am currently under the vare of the Tampa General Transplant group and they are also very dedicated professionals.
Im signed up for the webinar on April 26. Is there anything else I should do to prepare?
Thank you for helping me learn the ropes..

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Thanks..Im on it.

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@dorifg

I am scheduled for my evaluation for kidney transplant at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic in May for 4 days and yes I am excited but scared too. I am not a fan of invasive tests and the thought of tests like a colonoscopy are freaking me out a little 🙂 I had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 1994 and after 22 years the kidney failed. The pancreas is still working so I am still taking immunosuppressants. This year I have also developed some gastroparesis so it has been a challenge to find food I can eat especially when I have no appetite. Some days I only have protein drinks and I have little energy due to low calorie intake. So I am also worried about fasting for a lot of these tests too. But I will do what I have to do and hopefully will get good results from all the tests.

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Big help ...thanks ao much.

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@rosemarya

@amlak
I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have found us and joined us. Your information about your experience at Mayo Jax will be valuable to our members because we all learn so much from each other. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I invite you visit our other transplant discussion groups and to join in anywhere you want.
What kind of support was the most meaningful for you and your son after his transplant? Did you find any support once you returned home?
What organ did your son receive?
Rosemary

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Hello all,
Sorry , I am very late in replying but life take over.
My son received Liver Transplant in Dec. of 2010.
Yes, I read this regularly and will provide any and all information that I can here. I Jax Kristin and Steve who sort of manage the Support group there are the best and so is everyone else in Jax. Best of luck to all who are going through this life changing process and all I can say is have faith as this will happen and you will have a second chance.
My support post transplant , after we got back to NJ, for moral support, was connecting with group and as always Mayo was always available for all medical questions.
I have since moved to Rochester and will try to go to Gift of Life House here to offer what ever support and help I can to whoever needs it. If anyone who is at either of Gift of Life House want to talk, please feel free to reach out. I walk to St Mary's Hospital each afternoon for my daily walk and will stop by. My best to all. Aml

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@rosemarya

@amlak
I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have found us and joined us. Your information about your experience at Mayo Jax will be valuable to our members because we all learn so much from each other. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I invite you visit our other transplant discussion groups and to join in anywhere you want.
What kind of support was the most meaningful for you and your son after his transplant? Did you find any support once you returned home?
What organ did your son receive?
Rosemary

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@amlak, No apology is needed - ever! We are happy that you are back. Life does have a way of making many turns and messing with our routines!
How is your son doing? That is the most important issue, in my opinion.
Do you mind telling us how old your son was at the time of his transplant?

I will return to this conversation. But right now the clock is ticking and I need to get off this computer.
Are you aware of today's event: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-and-behind-the-scenes-liver-transplant/

Video Q&A and Behind-the-Scenes: Liver Transplant
Tue, Apr 24, 2018
12:00pm to 1:00pm CT

You will find me in the front row.
Rosemary

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Hello,
Yes, I watched the program today.
By gods grace my son is doing very well. He received his transplant when he was 27 years old. He issue was PSC which was diagnosed when he was 17 years old and his GI told us then that in 10 years he will need a liver transplant. We were shocked and just did not know what and how we will do this. I am so grateful that he is on the other side now. It took lot of courage from him as he kept me together during that time. He and I moved to Jax, Fl from NJ but as I said before we were blessed and he received the transplant just after three week on the list. We all in Jax used to wait for the helicopter and when it came we use to think who will get lucky this time. For Jay I think some thing changed in his blood test and we got call from his co coordinator about bleeding and bruising..I think something to do with vit K..and then just that evening we got the call and though we waited for 24 hours in the hospital but docs said this will go to him as the match is there and his condition is getting bad. If I can be of any help to any on this group it at Gift of Life house in Rochester, MN please do not hesitate to reach out as I live very close to GOL house. Best regards. Long story.

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@rosemarya

@amlak
I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have found us and joined us. Your information about your experience at Mayo Jax will be valuable to our members because we all learn so much from each other. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I invite you visit our other transplant discussion groups and to join in anywhere you want.
What kind of support was the most meaningful for you and your son after his transplant? Did you find any support once you returned home?
What organ did your son receive?
Rosemary

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@amlak I am happy for you & your son's success story. How is he doing now? You are very kind to offer support for others that are about to travel that same path. I went through the pre-qualifying lung transplant tests in 2016 at JAX Mayo. I was terrified at the prospect of a double lung transplant. I went to several support group meetings at Mayo and met a room full of post transplant patients; many were long time survivors. Listening to their stories eaded my fears greatly.

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@amlak, I am happy to hear that your son id doing well. I want to hear more about your son's story, And about your story. As a Mom and as a caregiver for your son, I think that you have a wealth of information that can be of benefit to many of us members.
I would like to suggest a few Discussion Groups where your story and your experience might be most helpful and support to others.

Changes After Transplant - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/changes-after-transplant/

Fighting Off a Minor Condition,Like a Cold - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fighting-off-a-minor-condition-like-a-cold/

Transplant Stories that Inspire: What's Yours? - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/patient-stories/

Are There Any Other Pre-Liver Transplant Caregivers Out There? -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-there-any-other-pre-liver-transplant-caregivers-out-there/?pg=3#comment-102154

I look forward to hearing more from you.
Are the rocking chairs on the GOL porch yet?
Rosemary

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@rosemarya

@amlak
I would like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am happy that you have found us and joined us. Your information about your experience at Mayo Jax will be valuable to our members because we all learn so much from each other. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I invite you visit our other transplant discussion groups and to join in anywhere you want.
What kind of support was the most meaningful for you and your son after his transplant? Did you find any support once you returned home?
What organ did your son receive?
Rosemary

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@windwalker - Terri, It's a wonderful thing, when we have friends to journey with real and virtual. I have discovered a very strong supportive bond between all transplant patients. I think it is the hope and the courage that we gain from sharing our good times and our not-so-good times.
Hugs,
Rosemary

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@rosemarya I saw a picture on Facebook, the chairs are out! It's officially spring. 🙂

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