Top Tips for those going in to have a tx
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:50 pm
Helen and I came up with these tips which we passed on to the nursing manager, but not sure they were ever more widely shared ... hope any tx patients might find them helpful - any others could be added to the list.
Ten helpful tips pre-transplant
1. Pack light - you will however find it helpful to consider taking (in addition to your “normal requirements”:
a. Cordial (to make the large volume of water you will be drinking more palatable)
b. Eye Shade (to block out the lights that are always on - though sometimes dimmed - in hospital)
c. Loose slippers or flip flops (your feet may swell)
d. Loose clothes (e.g. tracksuit) to wear on discharge
e. I-Pod and headphones (to “chill out” )
2. You may want a small (i.e. £5 - £10) amount of cash to purchase newspapers etc - do not take in any unnecessary valuables.
3. Clean any nail varnish off before admission, and if you have long hair it may be more comfortable to plait or tie it back whilst you are bed bound to prevent knotting.
4. Warn your visitors that you will have drips and drains as well as monitors attached after the transplant - this is perfectly normal, but can look alarming to those unfamiliar with the environment. Ask the nursing staff for more details if you require them.
5. You will have a saline drip attached during the operation to ensure that you are well hydrated so as to support your new kidney - you may become somewhat bloated in appearance but this is normal, temporary and will be closely monitored by the medical team.
6. Step down procedure: immediately after your transplant you will be on the HDU ward for a period of time, but when they feel you are fit enough they will move you into a “normal” ward which will have a much higher patient to staff ratio. Owing to the occasional emergency admission, you may not have much notice of such a move, and it may not be at a particularly convenient time. The timing of this is very much dependent upon the individual, but may be as little as a couple of days.
7. During your stay in HDU you will have at least 4 blood tests a day to ensure that things are proceeding as expected, and to monitor your medication dosage. This will reduce over time after step down.
8. You will be put on a number of drugs post transplant, but the regime will be fully explained to you before discharge by the renal pharmacist (and clear and detailed written instructions provided). A renal dietician will also visit you to explain how your diet should change post transplant.
9. Especially if you are a female patient you may like to take in special face wipes, moisturiser, hand cream and even a vaporiser to freshen up.
10. Lastly also especially for female patients (though it could be helpful for all) - as the incision is an “L” shaped one, right near the bikini line you may want to have a bikini wax so as to be more comfortable post transplant!
Ten helpful tips pre-transplant
1. Pack light - you will however find it helpful to consider taking (in addition to your “normal requirements”:
a. Cordial (to make the large volume of water you will be drinking more palatable)
b. Eye Shade (to block out the lights that are always on - though sometimes dimmed - in hospital)
c. Loose slippers or flip flops (your feet may swell)
d. Loose clothes (e.g. tracksuit) to wear on discharge
e. I-Pod and headphones (to “chill out” )
2. You may want a small (i.e. £5 - £10) amount of cash to purchase newspapers etc - do not take in any unnecessary valuables.
3. Clean any nail varnish off before admission, and if you have long hair it may be more comfortable to plait or tie it back whilst you are bed bound to prevent knotting.
4. Warn your visitors that you will have drips and drains as well as monitors attached after the transplant - this is perfectly normal, but can look alarming to those unfamiliar with the environment. Ask the nursing staff for more details if you require them.
5. You will have a saline drip attached during the operation to ensure that you are well hydrated so as to support your new kidney - you may become somewhat bloated in appearance but this is normal, temporary and will be closely monitored by the medical team.
6. Step down procedure: immediately after your transplant you will be on the HDU ward for a period of time, but when they feel you are fit enough they will move you into a “normal” ward which will have a much higher patient to staff ratio. Owing to the occasional emergency admission, you may not have much notice of such a move, and it may not be at a particularly convenient time. The timing of this is very much dependent upon the individual, but may be as little as a couple of days.
7. During your stay in HDU you will have at least 4 blood tests a day to ensure that things are proceeding as expected, and to monitor your medication dosage. This will reduce over time after step down.
8. You will be put on a number of drugs post transplant, but the regime will be fully explained to you before discharge by the renal pharmacist (and clear and detailed written instructions provided). A renal dietician will also visit you to explain how your diet should change post transplant.
9. Especially if you are a female patient you may like to take in special face wipes, moisturiser, hand cream and even a vaporiser to freshen up.
10. Lastly also especially for female patients (though it could be helpful for all) - as the incision is an “L” shaped one, right near the bikini line you may want to have a bikini wax so as to be more comfortable post transplant!