Once you are on the active transplant list you and your family are required to answer every call you get. Even the SPAM calls.
When You Are Waiting For Your Organ Transplant Call
Have you ever wondered what it is like waiting for a transplant? Do you dream about one day finally getting your phone call that there is an organ ready for transplant and it’s for you? This post gives a peak into the reality of waiting and finally receiving the transplant call.
Once you are on the active Heart /Lung or Organ Transplant list you are required to answer every call you get. Yes, that means you will need to answer a lot of spam, scam and telemarketers trying to sell you solar panels, internet deals and offering to sell or buy your house. It also means that your family will also need to answer every call.
You will need to have a hospital or Go Bag ready and with you at all times.
Ideally, you need to be within 1 to 2 hours of the hospital. If you live out of this range or are planning a weekend away the transplant team has options and contingency plans in place.
While you are on the waiting list the Transplant Team Your team will regularly monitor your health. I found this made me feel connected and supported by the team while waiting for my call. The St Vincent’s Online Resources are a great way to stay informed.
Keeping Your Family and Friends Updated When You Get Your Call
I set up a WhatsApp chat group which included all my family and friends. In hindsight I should have done this as soon as I was listed because once you get the call everything happens so quickly.
The group chat meant that my husband could update multiple people immediately once we did get the call and the operation was underway. It meant that nobody was left out of the loop. I could have my mobile with me and my husband was still able to message my nearest and dearest during my recovery without needing everyone’s mobile numbers. This took a great deal of time, pressure and stress off his shoulders. Our daughters were made administrators of the chat group and were able to assist Steve.
The first few posts in the chat group from my husband:
STEVE: 17/5, 6:18 am
Hi everyone
Gr8 news
They have found a viable heart for Michelle and she is having the transplant op this morning. We won’t know anything till much later today. I’ll keep you updated. thank u for all your thoughts and prayers 🙏 💗 💓 Steve
STEVE: 17/5, 7:12 pm
Guess who’s got a new heart?🫀💓💓💓
Michelle came through the surgery really well and is back in ICU still on a ventilator and pacer. The new heart is not quite pulling its weight yet so is being helped for the moment. They’re watching this overnight. Blood pressure is a little low too but otherwise all is as good. I think Michelle has felt all your wonderful support…because i’m sure we saw a little wink tonight 😉 xo 🤗 love steve georgia & Tea (via Greece)
STEVE: 18/5, 12:44 pm
💓💓Hey everyone
It’s taken a while to talk to someone so sorry for the delay in updating. Michelle is stable at present. Got through the night ok but no change from yesterday. Her new heart needs a lot of support at present so they plan to move her recovery slowly ahead without putting any distress on her.
We’ve seen a few winks and an occasional finger squeeze. She’s still got about 15 various cords or tubes going into her neck via a aCentral Venous Line, but that’s about half of what she had yesterday. We’ll take that as a good sign. Slowly they are looking to take her ventilator tube out this evening but only if it doesn’t put any stress on her new heart.😕
A little more confronting today, but she remains in great care. Thank you for everyone’s lovely messages – they’ve been really appreciated and we know they will bring a tear to Michelle’ eye when we can show them to her. She is lucky to have such good people around her xo
WhatsApp Chat
I have continued to use the WhatsApp Chat group to give updates of my progress throughout my recovery. It has been a great way to keep in touch with my loved ones and girl crew.
Further reading related to this topic include: One Survivor’s Story About Types of Organ Donations, What You Need To Know About Organ And Tissue Donation, and What You Need To Know After Heart Transplant
Please leave a comment and or perhaps share what strategies help you keep in contact with your important people.
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