Plan ahead for your child's hospital stay
When you get the call that it's time to come in for your child's transplant, you want to be sure you are ready. Be sure to plan ahead of time. Make a list of items to bring with you to the hospital. You'll want to include:

• Comfortable clothes for your child (jogging suits, sleepwear) that have soft, elastic waistbands or no waistbands
• Your transplant handbook
• Blood pressure cuff and thermometer if you already have one so that we can calibrate it to ensure accuracy
• A list of your child's current medicines (bring this to every clinic or hospital visit)

Plan for your housing and transportation
If a donor organ becomes 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.

You need to stay in the metro area for about four to six weeks after leaving the hospital. You will bring your child 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. Your social worker can help you with housing issues, fundraising, etc. If your family and friends will stay in the Twin Cities while your child is in the hospital, they will also need a place to sleep.

You can get more information about housing by clicking on Where Will You Stay? Or call our Accommodations Office at 612-273-3695 or 1-800-328-5576.

Arrange for support and care
When your child leaves the hospital, someone must be with him or her 24 hours a day. This person(s) will help with meals, medicines, rides to the clinic and other needs. Family members and friends can take turns providing this support. It’s important to have one main person to organize your child's care and attend classes before your child's discharge. Family medical leave or other arrangements for time off should be made before your child's transplant.

Plan for your other children and pets
Most children are in the hospital for one to two weeks. Some children need to stay longer. If you have other children, now is the time to plan for their care while you are with your child in the hospital. Get your children used to another home if they will be staying there. If you have pets, you will need to arrange for their care as well. Your child's siblings may visit your child in the hospital. An adult must stay with them at all times. They cannot visit if they have any illness that might spread to others.

Prepare your family and friends
Please tell visitors that plants and flowers (cut or dried) are not allowed in your child's room. Your child's medicines will lower his or her immune system, and plants and flowers may increase your child's risk for infection. 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 and your child. They must get plenty of sleep, eat regular meals and limit caffeine and tobacco. Because your child will tire easily for the first three to six months after transplant, visits and social events with family and friends may have to be limited.

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

Chaplaincy Services are available upon your request. You may also wish for visits from your home minister.

Transplant Support Group
This weekly meeting is a chance for patients and families to share experiences and help each other cope with common concerns. It also provides information on topics of interest to patients and their families. This group is lead by the transplant social worker, and attended by those waiting for transplant, as well as those who have been transplanted.

You and your family may attend our transplant support group at any time. The support group meets on Thursdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Board Room on the eighth floor of the main hospital (right outside of the Bridges cafeteria).

If you cannot attend this support group, your social worker may help you find a support group in your area.