It may be some time before you have your transplant surgery. While you wait, it is important to follow the steps listed below.

See your doctor and dentist regularly

Follow your rehab or exercise program

Eat the right foods

No smoking or other forms of nicotine

Be sure we know where to contact you

Call us if your insurance changes

Plan your transportation and housing

Arrange for support and care

Plan for your children and pets

Plan where your family can stay

Plan what to bring to the hospital

Prepare your family and friends

Prepare yourself emotionally

If you get ill while you wait

See your doctor and dentist regularly
It is your job to schedule all doctor and clinic visits. This includes yearly exams and routine tests.

You will need to see a lung doctor (pulmonologist) from the Transplant Center at least every six months. He or she will asses your health, order lab tests, adjust your medicines and tell you how often you need to have check-ups.

You will need to see your primary doctor for general care. Your doctors will write to each other to share the results of your exams and note any changes in your health.

Please complete all needed dental work before your transplant. You should see your dentist every six months while you are waiting for the transplant.

See your primary doctor for the following tests. Have your doctor send all test results to your transplant coordinator.:

• Women over 18 should have a Pap test every year. (This is a pelvic exam that checks or cervical cancer.)
• Women over 40 should have a mammogram every year. (This is an X-ray to check for breast cancer.) Tell your coordinator if you have an abnormal test.
• If you are over age 50, you will need to have a colonoscopy, unless you are too sick from your lung disease to do so. If you’ve had this test within the past 5 to 10 years, please send us the results.

You will need to have these vaccines. Please keep a record of these shots:

• A flu shot every year. Your family should also have flu shots unless they are allergic to the vaccine.
• A pneumococcal vaccine (shot to prevent pneumonia), if you have not had one in the past five years
• You may also need hepatitis A and B vaccines.

Follow you rehab or exercise program
As a result of you lung disease, you may have:

• Shortness of breath
• Decreased activity level
• Muscle weakness
• Poor fitness
• Fear or anxiety due to breathing problems

Rehab can help you control your symptoms and improve your ability to breathe.

You need to be in the best condition possible before your surgery. We strongly suggest you begin a pulmonary (lung) rehab program while you wait for your transplant. Or you may follow a home exercise program with the help of your family doctor.

Eat the right foods
A healthy diet is vital to the success of your transplant. Follow the diet plan you were given.

If you are overweight, your body mass index (BMI) should be below 30 before you have a transplant. BMI is a measurement of your body weight compared to your height. If you are underweight and have advanced lung disease, you should have a BMI of 18 or higher.

If you cannot maintain your weight, your dietitian and doctors will help you make a healthy meal plan. If you do not meet the required weight, you may be taken off of the waiting list until these goals are met.

No smoking or other forms of nicotine
We may test you for nicotine at any time. If we find nicotine in your body, you will be taken off the waiting list.

Be sure we know how to contact you
We must have current phone numbers where you can be reached 24 hours a day. This may include numbers for close friends, family and work. Here are some tips:

• Always carry your cell phone or pager.
• If your home computer connects to your only phone line, keep your cell phone or pager on when using the computer.
• Be sure that one family member always knows where to reach you.

Please call us right away if a phone number changes or stops working. Dial 1-800-328-5465, then choose 0. Do not leave a voicemail message.

Call the transplant office any time you are in the hospital or go on vacation. If you are out of town, have someone call your cell phone to make sure it is working.

If we do not have your current phone numbers, you will be put on hold on the waiting list. If you have problems paying for a phone line, contact a social worker through the Transplant Center.

Call us if your insurance changes
If there is any change in your insurance, call you financial case manager right away: 612-273-6685 or 800-688-5252 (x36685). If you do not, you might not receive your transplant.

Plan your transportation and housing
Before your transplant: If donor organs become available, you must arrive within two to three hours of our phone call. If you live more than three hours from the hospital, we will help you arrange air travel. Discuss this with your coordinator.

After transplant: You need to stay nearby for two to three months after leaving the hospital. You will come back to the clinic often during this time. If you live outside of the Twin Cities area, you may need to find housing in the area. You social work can help you.

Arrange for support and care
You must have someone with you at the time of transplant and for at least three months after. Family and friends can take turns providing this support. It’s important to have one main person to organize your care.

Transplants cannot be pre-scheduled (unless you will receive a lung from a living donor). Your caregivers will need to discuss this with employers in advance.

When you leave the hospital, someone must be with you 24 hours a day. This person will help with meals, medicines, rides to the clinic and other needs. Your doctor and transplant coordinator will let you know when you need less help.

Plan for your children and pets
Most people are in the hospital for an average of two weeks.  Some people stay longer. If you have children, now is the time to plan for their care while you are in the hospital. Get them used to another home if they will be staying there.

Your children may visit you in the hospital, but they must be carefully supervised by an adult at all times. They cannot visit if they’ve been exposed to any illnesses that might spread to others.

If you have pets, you will need to arrange for their care as well.

Plan where your family can stay
If family and friends will stay in the Twin Cities while you are in the hospital, start looking for hotels. Start by checking our housing information on this Web site. You may also ask your social worker for options. Or call our Accommodations Office at 612-273-3695 or 1-800-328-5576.

Family members will not have a bed in the hospital.

Plan what to bring to the hospital
Make a list of items to bring with you to the hospital. Be sure to include:

• Comfortable clothes (jogging suits, sleepwear) that have soft, elastic waistbands or no waistbands
• Your transplant handbook
• A list of your current medicines (bring this to every clinic or hospital visit)
• Your oxygen tank

Be sure your packing list is ready when the doctor calls.

Prepare your family and friends
Please tell visitors that plants and flowers (cut or dried) are not allowed in your hospital room. When you return home, this will not be a problem.

Remind your loved ones that they need to take care of themselves in order to be the best support for you. They must get plenty of sleep, eat regular meals and limit caffeine and tobacco.

You might also warn them that you will tire easily for the first three to six months after your transplant.

Prepare yourself emotionally
Waiting for your transplant is stressful. Patients have told us that being in the hospital after the transplant is also difficult. Please think about how you and your family have dealt with great stress in the past. Think about what helped you through these periods as well as what you would like to do differently this time.

If you are having a hard time, please ask for help. Social workers, transplant coordinators, clergy and other support staff are here for you. You may want to ask your social worker about our weekly support groups . Family and friends are invited to attend.

Finally, try to take a tour of University of Minnesota Medical Center. This may be very helpful for you and your family. Your social worker can arrange the tour.

If you get ill while you wait
Keep your transplant team informed of your health. Please tell us about any:

• Illness or infection
• Time spent in the hospital
• Antibiotic (germ-fighting) medicine that you take
• Prednisone bursts (short-term use of prednisone).

Any infection must be treated before your transplant. If your overall health gets worse, contact your transplant coordinator as soon as possible.