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

Be sure we know where to contact you

Call us if your insurance changes

Plan your transportation

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

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

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

See your family doctor for the following tests:

• Women over 18 should have a Pap test every year. (This is a pelvic exam that checks for cervical cancer.)
• Women over 40 should have a mammogram every year. (This is an X-ray of the breast to check for breast cancer.)
• If you are over age 50, you will need to have a colonoscopy. 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
• A pneumococcal vaccine (shot to prevent pneumonia), if you have not had one in the past five years
• Vaccines for hepatitis B.

Be sure we know how to contact you
If your  will come from a deceased donor, we will call you when a pancreas is available. If we can’t find you, you may lose the chance for this pancreas. We will not leave a message on your answering machine or voice mail.

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. It helps if 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
If your pancreas will come from a deceased donor, arrange your ride to the hospital in advance. Plan more than one route in case of rush hour or bad weather.

You may need to arrange air travel if you live more than six hours from the hospital. It might be a good idea to call your local airlines to get their schedules. Have the schedules ready for when a pancreas becomes available.

Plan for your children and pets
You will be in the hospital for seven to ten days. 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. 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 may not stay overnight in the hospital if you have a semi-private room.

Plan what to bring to the hospital
Make a list of items to bring with you to the hospital. You may be in the hospital for seven to ten days. Be sure to include:

• Comfortable clothes (jogging suits, sleepwear) that have soft, elastic waistbands or no waistbands
• A list of your current medicines (bring this to every clinic or hospital visit)
• Insulin and glucose testing equipment. (Keep these with you on the plane or in the car.)
• A favorite pillow or blanket

If your pancreas will come from a deceased donor, 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 room. Your medicines will lower your immune system, and plants and flowers may increase your risk for fungal infection. When you return home, this will not be a problem.

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 the University of Minnesota Medical Center. This may be very helpful for you and your family. Your social worker can arrange the tour.