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Transplant Nerves
Hi, just wondering how everyone coped/felt in the last couple of weeks pre transplant? I'm 3 weeks away now. Partly excited that it could (sorry WILL) be an end to all this and partly scared of the process, after effects and result.
Would be good to know I'm not unusual feeling like this and any advice on getting through the next few weeks and what to take to hospital appreciated!
Xx
Would be good to know I'm not unusual feeling like this and any advice on getting through the next few weeks and what to take to hospital appreciated!
Xx
Comments
I'm sure everyone here was every bit as nervous as you are feeling.
My transplant followed three months of chemotherapy which had left me feeling really weak and totally unprepared for the transplant. I felt like I wouldn't get through it as I felt like I didn't have the strength I needed.
Thankfully I did get through it, but put that down to staying positive about the outcome. You must do the same and always remember that you need the transplant to make you better. Set yourself little goals along the way to give you a target to reach, and celebrate when you achieve them.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
Steve.
You are normal if you feel nervous and excited, it would be easy for me to say keep calm now 3 years down the line, but do try and stay positive. I finished work 2 weeks before transplant and was able to retire at the same time. My wife and I went away up to Cumbria for a few days to chill. When we got back time seemed to pass very quickly before admission day.
I had a root canal issue with a front upper tooth, this had to be dealt with in the week before admission by way of extraction,something I could have done without, because of low platelets that had to be an overnight stay. We had a couple of days out with grandchildren and a family get together and meal. We tried to keep occupied which helped.
I took an MP3 player, books(they had to be new), obviously a phone, I ruined mine by spilling water on it. One of my children replaced it with a basic job. My children urged me to get an IPad, I couldn't see the point I had a lap top, which I didn't take. When I started to get better my children again encouraged me to update and I got a pad and pod, best thing I ever did, I'm lost without them. Sweets and chocs even if you don't feel like eating them the staff will help you out. I had photos pinned up and get well cards as they arrived.
You will be fine, one of my sons used to tell me to 'take the pills and do the drills' nothing else matters but getting better.
Best wishes, keep us updated, if we can help and support you we will.
Peter
I had my transplant in Liverpool and went to the unit just before I was due in to meet everyone and look round that helped too.
Let us know how you get on. Good luck.
Jon
I too lost the will to read and watch TV, I had a newspaper delivered every day and just got through the first page, it was always there for visitors if you didn't feel like talking.
I have spoken to patients waiting for transplant day via transplant staff and they have said it was helpful, one chap I spoke to was worried about the pain associated with the transplant procedure, I was able to put his mind at rest. There is no pain with the actual transplant. Lost of feelings of being unwell and maybe sickness and fatigue, but all these things are managed by experienced medical staff.
Try not to worry, not everything you may have heard or read about will necessarily affect you.
Best wishes, Peter
A friend bought me a 'list' book which I'm noting down everything I can think off - from what to take in clothes wise, toiletries etc, to things I need to do beforehand, partly to prepare me and partly to keep me occupied. I'm thinking to take my kindle, iPad (I've subscribed to one of the monthly film clubs too) iPhone and try my hand at the adult colouring craze maybe for days when I'm feeling stronger.
At the moment I'm concentrating on doing nice things like catching up with friends & family having good times, and having a good clear out at home so I don't return to too much chaos! It's all just distraction stuff I guess
Personally, I made sure my transplant day (Day Zero, my 'second birthday) was a celebration, so my wife and dad brought in balloons, party hats and fizzy cordial... It definitely helped me to see the transplant as a wonderful, positive opportunity worth celebrating.
All the tips the others have given are great. Good luck to you both :-)
Good luck and best wishes from me too for the transplant which sounds like it may be soon.
Peter
Sounds like you are doing all the right things at the moment, good luck and best wishes to you also.
Don't forget to keep us updated.
Peter
Great that you're taking your laptop. I had mine all the time I was in hospital and it was really useful for keeping up with the outside world when you get bored with TV. Make sure you've got plenty of music on there and maybe some movies (or DVD's if it has a drive). I kept people posted with my progress through Facebook and wrote a blog for people to follow which saved my wife updating people constantly.
I hope you'll keep us updated here too. This forum wasn't around when I had my transplant in January 2013 but I know I'd have found it useful.
Fingers crossed for you and all the best,
Steve