Heart-lung transplant patient shares her story

Why did you need a new heart and lungs?

How long did it take to find a good match?

How was the transplant surgery?

The transplant surgery is when doctors give someone a new body part, like a heart or kidney, to help them feel better.

During the surgery, doctors work very carefully to make sure everything goes well. The person having the surgery is asleep and doesn't feel anything.

After the surgery, the person needs time to rest and get better. Doctors and nurses help them feel better and make sure everything is okay.

If someone wants to understand more about the surgery, they can ask a doctor or nurse questions.

Some people like to look at pictures or videos to learn more, or read a book with easy words about surgeries.

How did you get your mind and body ready for the transplant?

Here are some tips to help:

1. Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a friend or a family member.

2. Relaxation: Try taking deep breaths to feel calm.

3. Get Information: Ask the doctor questions to understand what will happen.

4. Stay Active: Do light exercises if the doctor says it's okay.

It's okay to ask for help. You are not alone.

How did you get better after the transplant?

Did you have any problems after your surgery?

What medicines do you need to take after the transplant?

If you have had a transplant, you will need to take special medicines. These medicines help your body accept the new organ.

Here are some things that might help you remember to take your medicines:

• Use a pill organizer to keep track of your pills.
• Set an alarm to remind you when to take your medicines.
• Ask someone you trust to help you remember.

How has your life changed after the transplant?

Think about what has changed in your daily life since the transplant. Here are some simple questions to help:

• What new things can you do now?
• Is there anything you can do better?
• Have any old problems gone away?

If writing is hard, you can:

• Ask someone to help you write it down.
• Use speech-to-text apps to talk instead of writing.
• Draw pictures to show how things have changed.

Do you have any food rules to follow?

Here are some tips to make it easier to understand:

• Think about any foods you cannot eat. Like, if you can't have milk or peanuts.
• Use pictures or symbols to help you know what foods are okay.
• Ask someone you trust for help if you are not sure.

Can you travel now? Do you need to think about anything special when you travel?

Here are some tips to help you:

• Check if it's safe to travel where you want to go.
• Make sure you have all the things you need for your trip, like tickets and ID.
• Plan how you will get to your destination and where you will stay.
• If you need help, ask someone you trust to help you plan.

Remember to have fun and stay safe!

Who helps you when you need it?

Think about who you can ask for help. This can be family, friends, teachers, or helpers. They are your support team.

Here are some tools to help you:

• Ask Questions: When you do not understand something, ask for help.
• Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a person you trust.
• Use a Planner: Write down what you need to do. This helps you remember things.
• Break Tasks: If something is hard, do it bit by bit.

Do you often visit a doctor after your transplant?

Do you have any tips for people waiting for a new organ?

Here's some advice that might help:

• Stay hopeful and positive. Good things take time.
• Talk to your doctor if you have questions. They are there to help you.
• Join a group with other people waiting for a new organ. It can help to talk to people who understand.
• Take care of yourself. Eat healthy food and get plenty of rest.
• Use reminders like notes or alarms to remember doctor visits.

How do you feel about life after your transplant?

Here's a way to think about it:

- Did the transplant make you feel different?

- Do you see things differently now?

To help answer, you can:

• Talk to a friend or family member.
• Write down your thoughts in a journal.
• Use pictures or drawings to show your feelings.

Why is organ donation important?

Organ donation helps sick people get better. It can save lives.

When someone donates an organ, like a kidney or heart, it goes to a person who needs it to live.

If you want to know more or need help understanding, you can ask a friend or use pictures and videos.

Why did you need a new heart and lungs?

How long did it take to find a good match?

How was the transplant surgery?

The transplant surgery is when doctors give someone a new body part, like a heart or kidney, to help them feel better.

During the surgery, doctors work very carefully to make sure everything goes well. The person having the surgery is asleep and doesn't feel anything.

After the surgery, the person needs time to rest and get better. Doctors and nurses help them feel better and make sure everything is okay.

If someone wants to understand more about the surgery, they can ask a doctor or nurse questions.

Some people like to look at pictures or videos to learn more, or read a book with easy words about surgeries.

How did you get your mind and body ready for the transplant?

Here are some tips to help:

1. Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a friend or a family member.

2. Relaxation: Try taking deep breaths to feel calm.

3. Get Information: Ask the doctor questions to understand what will happen.

4. Stay Active: Do light exercises if the doctor says it's okay.

It's okay to ask for help. You are not alone.

How did you get better after the transplant?

Did you have any problems after your surgery?

What medicines do you need to take after the transplant?

If you have had a transplant, you will need to take special medicines. These medicines help your body accept the new organ.

Here are some things that might help you remember to take your medicines:

• Use a pill organizer to keep track of your pills.
• Set an alarm to remind you when to take your medicines.
• Ask someone you trust to help you remember.

How has your life changed after the transplant?

Think about what has changed in your daily life since the transplant. Here are some simple questions to help:

• What new things can you do now?
• Is there anything you can do better?
• Have any old problems gone away?

If writing is hard, you can:

• Ask someone to help you write it down.
• Use speech-to-text apps to talk instead of writing.
• Draw pictures to show how things have changed.

Do you have any food rules to follow?

Here are some tips to make it easier to understand:

• Think about any foods you cannot eat. Like, if you can't have milk or peanuts.
• Use pictures or symbols to help you know what foods are okay.
• Ask someone you trust for help if you are not sure.

Can you travel now? Do you need to think about anything special when you travel?

Here are some tips to help you:

• Check if it's safe to travel where you want to go.
• Make sure you have all the things you need for your trip, like tickets and ID.
• Plan how you will get to your destination and where you will stay.
• If you need help, ask someone you trust to help you plan.

Remember to have fun and stay safe!

Who helps you when you need it?

Think about who you can ask for help. This can be family, friends, teachers, or helpers. They are your support team.

Here are some tools to help you:

• Ask Questions: When you do not understand something, ask for help.
• Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a person you trust.
• Use a Planner: Write down what you need to do. This helps you remember things.
• Break Tasks: If something is hard, do it bit by bit.

Do you often visit a doctor after your transplant?

Do you have any tips for people waiting for a new organ?

Here's some advice that might help:

• Stay hopeful and positive. Good things take time.
• Talk to your doctor if you have questions. They are there to help you.
• Join a group with other people waiting for a new organ. It can help to talk to people who understand.
• Take care of yourself. Eat healthy food and get plenty of rest.
• Use reminders like notes or alarms to remember doctor visits.

How do you feel about life after your transplant?

Here's a way to think about it:

- Did the transplant make you feel different?

- Do you see things differently now?

To help answer, you can:

• Talk to a friend or family member.
• Write down your thoughts in a journal.
• Use pictures or drawings to show your feelings.

Why is organ donation important?

Organ donation helps sick people get better. It can save lives.

When someone donates an organ, like a kidney or heart, it goes to a person who needs it to live.

If you want to know more or need help understanding, you can ask a friend or use pictures and videos.