Activated ...

[Poppylicious]

Blokey found out that as of yesterday he's active on the transplant list. 

Yay!

(So, despite the fact that it could be years before he gets 'the call', should we be keeping a bag full of necessities by the front door?)

[iketchum]

I have a list of phone numbers and a small satchel of stuff ready in case I get the call. Good luck to you both.

[Des]

You will know when you get close to the top 15 or so because you will start being called up for monthly bloods.

Yeah!!!!!!!

 

[RichardMEL]

You will know when you get close to the top 15 or so because you will start being called up for monthly bloods.

Yeah!!!!!!!

 

don't know about the UK, but here it doesn't work like that. EVer since I started D we've had bi-monthly transplant bloods so they always have a sample on file to use for cross matching, etc. I've never heard of going to monthly if you're near the top.. and because the list (here, anyway) is geared to matches rather than being that linear I don't think there ever is like a "top 15" list here... excepting for any particular organ that comes up - the top matches will change for each organ depending on the HLA matches and all that stuff.

Poppy - GREAT NEWS !!!!! 

re a bag.. yeah I have a half hearted bag packed with some pj's and some spare power cables for gadgets (phone, ipod) but really that's about it. I mean when I think about it (and know that I live literally across the road from the hospital!) that if I got the call you still have a few hours to get there and if I'm at home well that's a no brainer, so I still have time to throw the toothbrush in. What else would I really need? a big book maybe... and anything else my family could get for me. Sometimes I feel a bit stupid even having a bag there.. like I'm expecting it any minute (and it hasn't happened in 4 years....) but yeah I'd be lying if I said I didn't have something kind of prepared....

[natnnnat]

Fantastic news Ms Licious!   

[paris]

Great news!     Regarding the bag:  When I was first listed, I had things ready to go.  I bought new pajamas, had toiletries packed, phone numbers, etc.   After the first year, I decided to wear the new pj's.  Second year moved the bag back to the closet.   And then someone here made the statement that anything you needed could be picked up at WalMart on the way or by someone else.   If my call ever comes, there is time to grap a couple of things. 

And here, I have a blood draw every month for the transplant center. 

My advice? Celebrate being on the list         That is a great accomplishment!

[cariad]

Congrats to you both, Poppy.

My centre said that in the case of kidneys, they have a looooong span of time with which to work. So much so that they claim they do not do the dramatic 2AM phone calls anymore - that if a kidney comes in middle of the night, they will assemble the team and patient first thing in the morning. Don't know if that's true, but I can tell you I spent 2 1/2 years on the list and never bothered with a bag. (I also did not pack a bag in anticipation of delivering either of my children. I'm not much for planning.)

[MooseMom]

That's just fantastic news!  What are the two of you going to do to celebrate?!!!  It's wonderful!

I had abdominal surgery about 18 months ago (nothing renal) and packed my little bag before hand.  Took it with me on the surgery day, and I found that I didn't use a single thing out of it.  Won't bother again.  The hospital had all the toiletries I needed.  And hospital gowns really are easier to deal with, in my opinion.
                                     

[bette1]

I just had my transplant after being on the list for 3 years.  I had time to pack a bag but you only need maybe a brush and a toothbrush.  Now days they try to get you out of the hospital as soon as possible, and as someone else said, you family and friend can bring you what you need.   

To me it's stressful to pack for something that could possible be years away.  I tried not to think about it too much.  I prayed about it and forgot about it during the day.

[Chris]

I always kept a packed bag in my truck at all times.
 
Now I keep one incase I have to go to the hosppital.