M.A.G.I.C. Tips on Recovering from an Organ Transplant November 7, 2007
Posted by Bob Aronson in recovery.add a comment
Editor’s note. If you have read my other blogs then you know I had a heart transplant on August 21, 2007 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. The following tips are from my personal experience and the guidance of the experts at Mayo.
M.A.G.I.C.
Bob’s NewHeart Tips for Transplant Patients
Manage your recovery
- Exercise daily. Shopping is activity, walking at a good clip on a treadmill is exercise. Exercise and a good diet are essential to a successful recovery.
- Keep a daily journal of the following:
- Exercise. Track type and duration. Try for 60 minutes a day.
- Medication dosages, frequency, changes, stops, new meds.
- Nutrition. Track foods and liquids according to the limits set by your physician. At a minimum you should be watching liquids, calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium intake based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet.
- Vital signs. Purchase a quality blood pressure cuff at your favorite drug store and begin keeping a daily record of your weight, blood pressure and pulse.
Attitude. No matter what the challenge in your recovery a “can do” attitude is absolutely necessary. When you consider that you have just been given the gift of life a “Poor me” attitude makes absolutely no sense! No matter what the challenge, and there will be many of them, you can do it!
- You can and must watch your diet
- You can and must exercise daily
- You can and must take your meds on time and live a normal life
Gratitude. Appreciate the fact that the organ you received is a treasure. You have a responsibility to take good care of it. A family somewhere is grieving over the loss of the loved one who donated your organ, a loved one whose generosity and selflessness has allowed you to live.
- Your caregiver has made a commitment to you, you must make a commitment to the caregiver. He or she is deserving of all the cooperation and respect you can offer. Because you are recovering from a major surgery, you will make great demands on their time and patience. It is important for you to do as much for yourself as you can, without violating the restrictions placed upon you by your physician. Activity is good for you, even if it hurts.
- Family and friends have your best interests at heart as well. Show them you appreciate their concern and efforts. One way to show gratitude is to follow the rules and live a great, long life.
Information. Because of the complexity of transplantation, you will have hundreds of questions.
- No one is going to give you a packet that answers all of them. You must take it upon yourself to seek information on medications, insurance, nutrition and more. Visit Facebook group, Organ Transplant Patients, Friends and You.
- If you have access to a computer and can get on the Internet, you will find support groups, general information sites and medical information. www.nutritiondata.comfor example, can help you track calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium content and more. A group I just started on Facebook, Organ Transplant Patients, Friends and You, could also be helpful. Try it; http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15612565382
- Most importantly, ask questions. Do not be intimidated by physicians or others who are guiding or directing your care. If you do not understand what they are saying, press them until you do. And, by all means, take notes.
Cooperation/consideration.
- The medical experts guiding your care know what they are doing. Yes, you should question them and yes, you should ask for clarification but remember that everything they suggest is for your own good. If, for example, you are told to consume no more than 1850 calories a day, do it! When you don’t you are only hurting yourself. Who gets hurt if you eat too much, gain weight and put added strain on your new organ? It sure isn’t the physician or nurse or cardiac rehab expert.
- Follow the advice given to you by rehab experts. Transplant drugs can have a negative effect on other parts of your body including bones. In rehab everything from proper breathing to stretching has a profound effect on your recovery.
“I may have a new heart for you” November 4, 2007
Posted by Bob Aronson in journaling.1 comment so far
Dr.Hosenpud’s call to my cell phone from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida was totally unexpected. I had only been on the waiting list for thirteen days. I knew that many people waited a long time for an organ; some even died waiting so when Hosenpud’s call came I was shocked to the point of being dumbfounded.
“Don’t eat anything,” he said, “drink only sips, pack a bag and come to the hospital as soon as possible.” He noted that while the match between the donor and me seemed good, there could always be circumstances that might prevent a transplant. It could be a false alarm. I know I said something to him like, “OK, I’ll be there.” I can’t remember anything else. I am usually very logical and decisive but at this moment emotions ruled. “This can’t be happening, I’m not ready, this is too quick, do I really need a transplant?” All of these questions despite the fact that I had undergone extensive transplant evaluation and testing at Mayo for several months.
“I’m here for a heart transplant,” I told the receptionist at the hospital, thinking they would rush me somewhere. They didn’t. The organ, if appropriate for transplant, had not yet been recovered so there was no immediacy, no hurry. As I signed the appropriate papers and Robin and I called family and friends, my mind was rushing, I felt confused, conflicted and apprehensive. Like a stressful dream, images, thoughts and snippets of conversation raced through my mind. None lingered, they just flashed by. Strangely, I was never frightened. I knew that if I had a transplant I’d be fine. That, I assume, is the result of my lifelong eternal optimism. I am incapable of negative thinking.
In my conflicted mind the pace of events increased to many times that of the speed of light, far too fast for me to follow, I have to depend on Robin’s memory and the recollection of others to help me with the details of what happened next. All I remember through that incredible deluge of thoughts and images is waking up in the Intensive Care Unit and wondering what happened. “Was the transplant over, am I OK, where’s Robin, what’s going on.” I fell asleep again almost immediately.
When I awakened the nurse told me I had a new heart that was working perfectly and that I was doing very well. Robin, holding my hand, reassured me that everything was fine and that I looked good. The monitors seemed to be happily beeping and chirping in tune with my new heart. There didn’t seem to be any reason for me to be concerned so again I fell into the waiting arms of Morpheus. Nine days later I left the hospital totally amazed and full of hope.
Someone else’s heart is beating in my chest November 3, 2007
Posted by Bob Aronson in journaling.2 comments
What a realization! I can hear it, I can feel it, I can feel it’s effects but it doesn’t belong to me. My old, damaged, terribly inefficient heart is gone and a stranger’s much stronger heart beats in its place. Saying it doesn’t belong to me is important because it reminds me that I must take very good care of it. With this gift comes great responsibility and I enthusiastically accept it.
So what’s the difference in my life? I had Cardiomyopathy (a form of heart failure) for 12 years prior to my transplant. The last two years were miserable. There were times when I was so short of breath and found it so difficult to move that in a brief walk from the family room to the bathroom I often had to stop and rest. Now with my new heart I am doing things I haven’t been able to do in a decade. Already I am walkiing an hour a day on the treadmill, doing all the grocery shopping, working on my hobbies spending time with my family and feeling great. I am up every morning around 5 ready to meet the day and excited about the prospects
Each day, though, I think of the selfless decision made by my donor and his family, a decision that allows me to live and to help spread the word about the importance of donation. I cannot imagine the grief the family is experiencing and I can only hope that they find some comfort in knowing that someone is living and contributing to the lives of others because of their and their loved one’s generosity.
Recovering from a heart transplant is not easy, especially when you were not in good shape to begin with. But it is a whole lot easier when you have the right attitude, the support of family and friends and the knowledge that a total stranger made a decision that allows you to live. I have a new appreciation for life and love every day this new heart allows me to spend with my family and friends. If you are not an organ donor please ask yourself why? You can help save or positively affect the lives of at least 60 people. Isn’t that worth it? Knowing that a part of you will live on in someone or maybe several someones should be a great motivating factor. Recycle yourself.
