Preparing the house for transplant

[mike22]

I havent receive a transplant yet, I'm still waiting. But I have already laid out plains as to how I plan to keep the house clean. Lysol and hand sanitizer will be just as important as me meds. I may seem a little OCD to people but it will be well worth once i get that kidney.

[Sugarlump]

Don't forget to add luck to you list... sometimes you need a bit of good luck for things beyond your control!

[Des]

Don't forget to add luck to you list... sometimes you need a bit of good luck for things beyond your control!

Bring the luck then .

[Sugarlump]

I wish you all the luck in the world 

[paris]

I must admit that my cleaning was for the most part something that needed to be done anyway and to keep my mind and hands busy.  I was not at all sorry I did it.  I was never a germaphobe before and I'm still not "phobic" about it.  I do things differently now because of my transplant, but not overboard.  If you have the time and energy to clean your house from top to bottom before you transplant I think you would be smart to take advantage, because you are going to be sore and slow moving for a while post transplant.

I agree with KellyT.  It was so nice to come home with everything done. You won't feel like cleaning for awhile. I rest easier when things are picked up. Because we have 10 grandkids under 13yrs old, who visit all the time, I do use bleach on railings, doorknobs, counters etc, and the hand sanitizer sits by the door.  It can't hurt to err on the site of caution.   Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[rsudock]

I was just thinking about how we prepare OURSELVES for transplant....like before I get my kidney I am going to give myself a pedicure and manicure, also pluck my eyebrows, and shave my legs. Is that weird to think?


Also I was thinking about the things I bring to the hospital...pert plus b/c it is conditioner and shampoo in one! heating pad for the hospital bed, magazines, phone charger, slippers, tweezers, toothbrush and paste, face wash pods, pajama pants, and white tank tops...

anybody else think of other things?

[Des]

Because you are in ICU you are not allowed anything except small towel, face cloth ,soap, toothpaste and tooth brush. They will send your bag home with hubby. (this I know for a fact) But once you are transferred to highcare or normal ward you can start wearing pj's and bring all the nice goodies in.

Well that is how it is here in South AFrica anyways. 

[monrein]

I was just thinking about how we prepare OURSELVES for transplant....like before I get my kidney I am going to give myself a pedicure and manicure, also pluck my eyebrows, and shave my legs. Is that weird to think?


Also I was thinking about the things I bring to the hospital...pert plus b/c it is conditioner and shampoo in one! heating pad for the hospital bed, magazines, phone charger, slippers, tweezers, toothbrush and paste, face wash pods, pajama pants, and white tank tops...

anybody else think of other things?

Not weird at all about the body maintenance stuff bbut at y hospital they made me take off all nail polish (on my new pedicure).  They need to be able to see the nails for some reason.  I personally always just wear the hospital gowns but bring a nice robe to wear over them...too many tubes, discomfort, need for access, etc to fuss with pyjama pants etc.  Bring slippers or sandals too.

[Sugarlump]

Ipod for music and drown out background noises particularly late at night!

[carol1987]

I was just thinking about how we prepare OURSELVES for transplant....like before I get my kidney I am going to give myself a pedicure and manicure, also pluck my eyebrows, and shave my legs. Is that weird to think?


Also I was thinking about the things I bring to the hospital...pert plus b/c it is conditioner and shampoo in one! heating pad for the hospital bed, magazines, phone charger, slippers, tweezers, toothbrush and paste, face wash pods, pajama pants, and white tank tops...

anybody else think of other things?

Not weird at all about the body maintenance stuff bbut at y hospital they made me take off all nail polish (on my new pedicure).  They need to be able to see the nails for some reason.  I personally always just wear the hospital gowns but bring a nice robe to wear over them...too many tubes, discomfort, need for access, etc to fuss with pyjama pants etc.  Bring slippers or sandals too.

I agree.... no pj bottoms... the incision is low and also had a drain..   Nail polish would be removed at my hospital also...

[kellyt]

Nail polish should be removed at all hospitals.  That's usually protocol.

[-Lady Noir-]

Ipod for music and drown out background noises particularly late at night!

 

[Sugarlump]

I just clicked on the list of new replies to your posts and could have sworn the title of this was
PREPARING HORSE FOR TRANSPLANT!!!!   (??!!**  )
I really must get new reading glasses!

[Des]

 
Sorry, Sugarlump, I can't help you on this one!!!

Well I was going to prepare my horse for getting me to the transplant on time but I changed my mind.

I would rather take the car.

[MooseMom]

I brought all kinds of personal toiletries and crap for the post-surgical period and didn't use one single item.  The hospital supplied everything, and it was just easier to use their stuff, especially since they stuck it on my bill without asking.  I have three pairs of those horrid socks they give you; I actually wear them around the house in the winter when I'm having a sloppy day.  Don't bother with taking your own nightwear; wear the hospital gowns so that your own stuff won't get ruined by various bodily fluids.  My hospital provided gowns, robes and socks...even little paper panties!  Save your own stuff for when you get home.

I lie...the one thing of my own that I DID use was deodorant.

Remember, if you bring a lot of stuff, it has to be moved with you as you are moved from recovery to ICU to the regular ward.  Things can go walkies all too easily.

Oh...maybe earplugs!

[kellyt]

Take your own blanket (preferably a nice bright color to cheer up your room), your own pillow and your own bath towel.

[Des]

I have spoken to the transplant coordinator and only one very important item needs to go.

Polly our Indian Ringneck. All birds carry the CMV virus (even the wild ones) this virus holds a major threat to transplant patients. It gets airborne everytime the bird shakes it's feathers. When you breath in the CMV virus it eats "holes" in the lungs.

I thought I'd just keep him in the garage.
        

[okarol]

I have spoken to the transplant coordinator and only one very important item needs to go.

Polly our Indian Ringneck. All birds carry the CMV virus (even the wild ones) this virus holds a major threat to transplant patients. It gets airborne everytime the bird shakes it's feathers. When you breath in the CMV virus it eats "holes" in the lungs.

I thought I'd just keep him in the garage.
      

I doubt birds carry CMV, but have been told they may have other risky germs.
I know many transplant patients who have kept their birds. They stayed away from them for the first 3 months, but afterwards returned to living together. Lori Hartwell has a 19 year old parrot that she had for 19 years of her last transplant.
We had a beautiful cockatiel but the transplant team clearly said "no birds" so now she has been adopted by another family. We miss her!
Even the Center for Disease Control does not rule out birds for transplant patients http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/bonemarrow_transplant.htm but my hubby felt that any risk was too great.

[Des]

We are going to miss him too!

This is one rule they won't budge on.

[kellyt]

I was told no birds, as well.  I don't have any, but I was told they carry lost of stuff (like what Okarol mentioned).

I'm so sorry you have to say good-bye.  Pets are part of the family.   

[willowtreewren]

I hope you can find a good family for your parrot. 

Thinking of you daily. 

 

[chook]

I am rethinking a transplant. We live in an OLD house and at the moment, are over run with mice. I've been away almost 9 weeks and the little mice have been everywhere. Hubby has done his best to stem the tide but as we are having a bumper season, the mouse population has exploded. This will not be good to return to after a transplant. I will be hoping my call comes in a drought, when the mice are better behaved!

[Sugarlump]

How about a cat chook to catch 'em all!!!!!! 

[Des]

good idea!

[Sugarlump]

Sorry, Sugarlump, I can't help you on this one!!!

Well I was going to prepare my horse for getting me to the transplant on time but I changed my mind.

I would rather take the car.

I'm still laughing about this I swear it said Preparing horse for transplant and I thought maybe, new medical advances and they've found way of using horse kidneys ... oh dear ... but they'd be huge in comparison wouldn't they ?