Appt with the social worker

[MooseMom]

As part of the pre-transplant eval process, I have to meet with their social worker, and we have an appt for next week.  I'm not really sure what goes on as such an appointment.  I am assuming that they want to see if you will have enough support post transplant, if you have any substance abuse issues and if you will be compliant.  Is there anything else that they are aiming to evaluate?  Is she just going to ask me a lot of questions, or is there any information she is going to give us?

[Rerun]

Do not mention ever ever ever moving for the rest of your life!  Medicare pays them AFTER the transplant so if you get worked up here and then move they have a COW.

So, yes, you are right.  The Social Worker is one of the people to evaluate you to see if you have enough support and if you can get to the hospital when the transplant comes or in case of rejection if you can come in for treatment. 

I didn't hit it off very well with mine.   We were in the room for about 2 minutes when she saw my fistula and said "what's that".  I think I said "you are kidding me right?"  She was not!  I had a fit.  Do NOT give me a Social Worker who has my future in her hands who is not trained in CKD. 

Best of luck.  Be very gald I'm not going with you!   

[Sunny]

Just be cooperative and answer all their questions the way you think they want them answered.
Don't get your hopes up about a social worker's role. I'm still not sure what exactly it is my socialworker is suppposed to help me with.

[jbeany]

Smile, nod, and don't volunteer shit!  Resist the temptation to fill in that blank space when they pause after you answer a question. 

[MooseMom]

All very good suggestions.  I'll just say as little as possible and then get out asap.  It's not so hard to talk about myself on a computer, but I don't like doing that in front of a real person.  I'm rather private in real life, believe it or not.

[paris]

Mine was very compassionate.  We talked about family and friends and if I supportive people around me.  She listened to how sad I was to put my family through all this.  She did ask if I did drugs, had tattoos or smoked.  I answered "no, but maybe that should be my to do list in my next life".  She laughed.  We got along great and she understood that sometimes humor was how I dealt with things.    We talked for almost an hour.  I still see her every year for the annual update evaluations.      Good luck, you will do great.   I think they appreciate informed patients and you are certainly that!