Transplant Prep. I have a date penciled in...

[carol1987]

I have a penciled in date for a transplant.   January 6th... it will be a paired exchange (perhaps chain). 

My DH will donate on my behalf and I will receive from an altruistic donor!  I am amazed , frightened , grateful... you name it!!!!

Any tips on how to prepare for this???   I have 3 kids 21, 16 and 8 .....  The 21 year old will be between semesters ... thank goodness and both grandmas will be here.. (though they are both older...)   It is so overwhelming , thinking of both DH and  having surgery at the same time!!!

I can hardly begin to think about this.......

[Poppylicious]

Awww, that's fantabulous Carol!  So exciting! 

*huggles*

[Deanne]

What a great way to start the new year! 

[boswife]

holy cow!! this is great news!!  PLEASE keep us informed.. It's a wonderful feeling knowing you will be getting this soon.  SCARRY for sure, but for such a good reason..

[RichardMEL]

oh great news!! That's wonderful! You could be one of the first of the 2011 IHD transplants!!! 

As for preparing... I would prepare the family for what it will be like after your surgeries - that likely it will be harder on DH - and that they will need to be very careful around you - if anyone's got a caugh or feels unwell to stay away and also to try to not overwhealm you with visitors (you will have enough medical types bugging you at all hours - at least initially). Tell them to not take any of that personally - that's the way it is and the priority is for you to recover as quickly and safely as you can. It also might be useful to remind them of some of the potential changes you face like being careful in the sun, and needing to be extra clean and all that stuff - so they know that you're not being anal with the antibacterials around you but it's important for you - and some foods like raw fish, pate, grapefruit juice and stuff will still be out for various reasons.

As for how do YOU prepare??? I think all you really can do is go in knowing that whatever happens will happen.Be aware of the risks and that if you wake up and it's not going straight out this is NOT the end of the world - it's a trauma for the kidney. Be reassured that 93% of transplants take and are still going a year later and 50% then go on to make 10 years - those are odds I like!!!!



In a way I like that I had no real time to prepare - everything happened so quickly I didn't have time to panic or anything!!  I think you will be fine and just try and take it in your stride knolwing that things will be in flux.

[galvo]

2011 wil be a great year for you, Carol.

[monrein]

I'm excited for you Carol, although I can totally relate to the nervousness too.  Another IHD member, KimCanada, just came through her paired exchange..she had her transplant in Halifax while her son donated here in Toronto.  Both are doing well.
It sounds as though you have some excellent support and that's pretty key.  2011 sounds very promising indeed!   

[kellyt]

Congratulations!  Sounds wonderful!   And what a wonderful husband you have!   

I can tell you what I did to prepare, because I had a little over a month's notice before I transplanted.  Not everyone does all this, keep in mind.  I spent my days just cleaning my home and prepairing it for me to come home.  I didn't want my husband to have to do all that and he wouldn't have really cleaned anyway.  I cleaned things that have never been cleaned before.  lol  I called my A/C people and had them come and do a thorough evaluation and cleaning on my system.  Exchanged out all the filters, cleaned the floors, had the livingroom furniture steam cleaned (I have two dogs), went through the pantry and got rid of any and all items that might have been expired or close to expiration (same with my spice rack), made some meals for the freezer, took both dogs to the vet to be sure they were clean and ready to cohabitate with me, etc., etc.  Some stuff I did just because I had been wanting to do it for the longest time and not just because I was freaking out about being clean and sanitized.  I don't freak out that much now.  I do replace my toothbrush regularly and keep it in it's own little container in the drawer, I replace my kitchen sponges very regularly, clean counters and kitchen appliances regularly, etc.  I'm more concerned about the other homes and places I go then my own home, but you should prepair nonetheless.

I agree with Richard.  Prepair your family.  Trash will need to be taken out by others for at least the first three months, no cleaning up after pets for the first 3 months (let someone else do that), etc.  Keep the kitchen sink clean and dish free whenever possible.  Watch foods in fridge and never leave stuff out.  Anything left out by accident I just throw away.  Sometimes we waste food that way, but we don't take that chance.  When we go to parties and such I always try to eat first when it's a buffet type party.  Stay away from kids for a while, too.  Yours are okay, but other kids.

Oh and the hardest part was no hugging/kissing friends and family for a while.  Especially since you'll be transplanting in the winter.    Is that enough stuff?  Truly I'm not a crazy person.  It sounds like a lot, but I did it over a six week period.

Congratulations!   OOOH!  And I went and splurged on some really good bed sheets!!  Mmmmmm!

[phyl1215]

So happy for you.  Please let us know how everything goes for you and your husband and the others involved.  Good lluck. 

[okarol]

I set up a caringbridge page so I could update friends and family before the surgery. My sister posted updates during and following the transplant as I had no internet access. It was great because it cut down on answering the same questions over and over. Here's Jenna's page if you want to take a look. http://caringbridge.org/visit/jennafranks It's FREE and people can sign your guest book.
Good luck to you both! 

[carol1987]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful and detailed answers!   Getting ready for Christmas and transplant at the same time has me quite loco.... 
but it is all good!!!

I appreciate the good wishes and will sit the kids down and discuss  what we need....

A caringbridge site may be a good idea... not only for friends/family to keep informed but it may help my kids have a positive way to participate....