Category Archives: Transplant

Transplant List – Part Two, Liver and Kidney

In the previous entry, we discussed the transplant process for heart and lung.  Today, we will continue our discussion with liver and kidney transplants. LIVER The organ allocation policy currently in use went into effect in 2020. MELD, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, is a numeric scale, ranging from 6 (less ill) to 40Continue reading “Transplant List – Part Two, Liver and Kidney”

Self-care After Transplant

Self-care seems to be the buzzword of the moment, but what does that mean beyond meditation and mud masks?  What does essential self-care look like after transplant? Here, I’m offering my tips based on my own personal experience.  I am not a medical professional, and this does not constitute medical advice.  The information I amContinue reading “Self-care After Transplant”

Read This Before You Have a Transplant

Have you been told that you are going to need an organ transplant and you don’t know where to look for information because you don’t even know what questions to ask?  Of course, the best information source for your specific situation is your doctor and the social work department at your transplant center, if youContinue reading “Read This Before You Have a Transplant”

Financial Assistance for Transplant

Any kind of transplant is a very expensive operation.  Even with good insurance coverage, there is usually a large out of pocket cost for travel, lodging, aftercare, over-the-counter medications and supplements, as well as the regular copay costs.  When I was evaluated for my second heart transplant, one of the requirements to be listed forContinue reading “Financial Assistance for Transplant”

Air Quality

At 7:00 this morning, the air quality index in the Detroit area was 317.  This is considered hazardous for all people, not just sensitive groups.  They are advising everyone to stay indoors and reduce activity levels.  As a heart transplant recipient, I can tell you that I feel the impact of this air quality.  JustContinue reading “Air Quality”

Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program

The 26th annual MOTTEP Life Walk/Run on Belle Isle in Detroit is happening Saturday, July 22.  MOTTEP stands for the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program, and their mission is “To decrease the number and rate of ethnic minority Americans needing organ and tissue transplants.” I have participated in the Life Walk on severalContinue reading “Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program”

RX Buyer Beware

Have you ever thought about the medications you take and where they come from?  You don’t have to be a transplant recipient to take prescription medication.  Most people, especially those of us above a certain age, are taking something for high blood pressure or cholesterol or other chronic ailments.  Every month, we fill our prescriptions,Continue reading “RX Buyer Beware”

Make Your Voice Heard!

I’m making this unscheduled blog post to announce that the American Society for Transplant (AST) has released a new survey.  It is designed to allow transplant recipients to give feedback on how their immunosuppressant medications affect their daily lives. Make your voice heard! Click on the link below and take the survey today! https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7224212/AST-Survey ThisContinue reading “Make Your Voice Heard!”

The Personal Cost of Transplant

Thus far, we have discussed the history and the pricing of immunosuppressive drugs.  What we have not discussed is the deeply personal cost of transplant.  Nearly every one of us transplant recipients has experienced some level of impact on our lives caused by these drugs. The impact on my own life has varied over theContinue reading “The Personal Cost of Transplant”