How to prepare for your transplant

Since your new organ could come at any time, you want to be ready. This doesn’t mean that you have to sit at home waiting by the phone. In fact, it is best for you to go on with your usual activities and enjoy your life. But there are some things that you can do ahead of time to prepare. A little planning can help things go more smoothly when the time comes for you to get your new organ.

This checklist may be helpful:

• Give your transplant team a list of telephone numbers where you can be reached 24 hours a day. Include phone numbers of friends and family that you might visit.
• Your transplant team will need to contact you as soon as your new organ is found.

Check your answering machine or voice mail often. If you are at a place where you cannot be reached by phone, it may be a good idea to check more often.

• You may want to carry a beeper once you get to the top of the transplant list. Your transplant team will let you know when this time comes.
• Make a list of things you will want to take to the hospital. When the day arrives, you may not want to think about packing so you might want to pack a bag ahead of time. You may want to bring some family photos, some books to read, and the phone numbers of people you will want to call.
• Make plans for how you will get to the hospital. Arrange for someone to drive you. Talk to your transplant coordinator if you will need to take an airplane.