transplant

[Guest guest]

hi Jackie

We had a pet dog and when I first came home from hospital my mum was worried,

but the transplant team said this was not a problem.  Our dog lived with us but

didn't sleep in our room in his basket, he slept in another room.  It was as if

he knew I was fragile and kept his distance from me.  I had 4 children at school

at the time, and my doctors were more concerned about what bugs they may bring

home from school.  My doctors advised me to make friends and family very aware

of how suseptible i was to bugs.  I asked my friends  not to visit while I was

in hospital and ensued the children did not visit if they had a cold or their

friends had a cold. When I came home we had a lady come every day and clean my

bathroom and bedroom and I was the only one to use that bathroom.  For quite

awhile my husband used the main bathroom.  I didn't go to public places other

than outside parks for quite awhile, no shopping centres or anywhere in public

where I was exposed to lots of people in enclosed areas.  I cant think of any

other special arrangements we made.  I was very fortunate in that I had very

little gvhd and I really didn't have many problems with viruses or infections. 

My main problem now is being susptible to lung infections and I'm still careful

to stay away from people with colds if at all possible.  I think the best advice

i had was to educate yourself in hospital about what medications you are on. 

Understand what you must tak and what is okay to miss if you are not feeling

well.  Read all you can about the transplant process, knowlege is powerful.  Ask

lots of questions, try to meet with others who have been through transplant.  I

met a lady before my transplant who'd had one a few years earlier.  She is still

a great support to me and we have become great friends, 17 years on.  Hope this

gives you somethings to help and please ask anything you want.

Judy t