Transplant Evaluation

[kellyt]

I received a letter from my referred transplant institute saying that they will be contacting me regarding a transplant evaluation.  This will include testing of my heart, kidneys, gallbladder, stomach, intestines, bladder, teeth, gums, breasts and cervix.  Plus "other examinations may be required".

Would anyone mind telling me what to expect?  Are all these tests done in one day/week/month, etc.  How long does all this generally take?

Anyone have an interesting story to share regarding their evaluation?

Thanks. 


EDITED. MOVED TO PROPER SECTION. okarol/moderator

[okarol]

Have you seen these other links? http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2607.0 and http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=703.0. There's plenty more in Transplant Stories.

[Romona]

Hi kellyt,
Most of the tests can be ordered by your family doctor. It took me a few months to get mine done because of scheduling. I have said this many times, but here goes. Ask for copies to be mailed directly to you. So many of my tests were misplaced. The transplant cooridinators sometimes lose things. Even things sent to them directly from other health care providers. My eval wasn't bad. Good Luck to you!
Romona

[Jill D.]

For my first evaluation, I had everything done at the transplant center's hospital over the course of 2 days, including meeting with the transplant doctors, coordinator, social worker and psychologist. I then had a list of other tests that I had done closer to home: pelvic, mammogram, stress test, kidney ultrasound, dental checkup.
For my second evaluation, at Mayo Clinic, all of the above (except dental check) - plus fun colon stuff - were done in 4 days. On the afternoon of the fourth day, I met with my Mayo neph and he had the results of all of the tests on the computer and he was able to tell me that he was recommending me for a transplant. The place is AMAZING!!!!

[jbeany]

What tests they require depends on your age, other health problems, and gender.  Every center seems to have a different set of requirements too.  Mine, U of Michigan, didn't say anything about dental checkups, but every diabetic has to have yearly EKG testing to check for heart problems.

If your center is like mine, they will schedule you for a very loooong day of tests and meetings.  You will do blood work, get xrays, etc, as well as exams by a neph, a surgeon, and a social worker.  Bring a book - you will spend more time waiting for meetings and appointments than you will actually spend in them.