Lung Transplant Assessment

[sunnyday22]

Can anyone let me know what to expect when I have my one day assessment at Harefied in February. I am due to have blood tests, X-rays and other tests. I had been told that you normally have three days of tests. Does this mean if I get the ok from these tests I will then have to go back for three days of tests.

[Jessy11]

Hello sunnyday, I'm sorry I can't answer your questions. Someone will come on soon who maybe can help you.

Good luck with the assessment & let us know how you get on 🌺

[jabber]

I'm afraid I'm not much help as I really can't remember what happened when I was assessed at Harefield. I've even dug out an old calendar to see if I wrote down what dates I went there.

Typically I could only find one reference to my visit and no details. That was back in early 2009 so forgive me if my memory is not so good. I think there was a one day visit, and later a few days as an in-patient. There were all the tests you mentioned and lots of talking about the implications of a transplant, how long you might have to wait, and all the follow-on care if you did have the transplant.

There was nothing scary or painful in the way of tests (apart from making you breathless and sticking needles in you, but we're used to that), so don't worry about that aspect. At the end of my stay, having got all the results together, they had a meeting about me and then came and gave me their decision.

In my case they decided transplant was not the best option for me. It was disappointing at the time, but I was actually glad I didn't have to make the decision myself. I am still going strong(ish) 8 years later so I'm sure it was the right decision in my case.

I hope someone will be along with more recent and better remembered details for you. In the meantime please don't worry. Everyone I met there was very kind and considerate and they will do the best they can for you, whatever their decision.

Very best wishes. Please let us know how you get on.

Jan

[sibkev]

i had my transplant last march and three day asses in oct 2015 at qe in birmingham they may well get it done in one day cus there was a lots of sittng about they will give you a program but anything you want to know about tplant just ask ill be only to glad to help

[jimmy1c in reply to sibkev]

Hi sibkev

How are you keeping following your transplant

Jimmy1c

[sibkev in reply to jimmy1c]

im brill to be true i walk me dog about 2 mile a day do some weights ex bike it used to take me 1 houre to go to bed at night now it 10 secs

[jimmy1c in reply to sibkev]

Hi glad to hear it. Stay well and enjoy. Thanks for reply

Jimmy1c

[2pray4us in reply to sibkev]

Hello sibkev, you said that you had your transplant last march? so how do you feel now? What side effects did you have? Any signs of rejection?

[sibkev in reply to 2pray4us]

i feel brill no rejection at all as for side effects the first week i was sick a few time cus of all drugs but soon got used to em you get a bit of water retention from the neoral that is a emuno suppressent but i wld do it all again in a heartbeat i now have a life no tube on me face 24/7 13 ltr a min i can walk climb stairs drive even do a bit of running on me treadmill it dont hurt that much ether i only had paracetamol after 3 days and they give you a list of painkillers as long as ya arm anything you peaple need to know plz ask ill be more than happy to answer

[Dons-2]

Hello, I've just been through the lung transplant assessment at the Harefield.

As Jan said, the tests are not scary or painful and the nurses and doctors are all very friendly and put you at ease.

After the one-day assessment, if they think you are a good potential candidate for a transplant they will invite you back for a two day assessment for more thorough tests where you stay in overnight.

As they are very busy you may have to wait a few months for this second appointment. If they still think you're suitable after this they will present your case at a multi-disciplinary meeting with all of the health professionals involved (Consultants, Surgeons, Transplant Co-ordinaters etc) and then come to their final decision. This may be a week or two after the second appointment.

In my case I had to have a few additional appointments with the Consultant and meet the surgeon as my case is a bit unique and I'm a much higher risk then most people.

I hope it goes well, if you have any questions then please let me know.

[Mandy6513]

Hi

I had my assessment in Harefield too and yes if all goes well on your first day of tests they will ask you back for an overnight stay to do some different ones ..

Its nothing to worry about and if your a long way from Harefield you can travel there the day before and stay in accommodation on the hospital grounds overnight which is what i do

If you have anything specific you need to know just ask but i hope all goes well

[mmzetor]

good luck hope all goes well for your assessment

[suegjp]

I did not know lung transplants. Were available what age is this done and how do you know if your suitable

[sunnyday22]

Thank you all for your replies. I am on oxygen 24/7 but we have booked a room the night before and arranged for a concentrator to be believed. I will let you know how it goes.

[2pray4us]

Hello everyone, its good to see that you all are always here to help one another, this is a wonderful thing. Its something that you ask this question. I just went to my doctor on Tuesday and in may we will do testing for my lung transplant assessment. I live in Trenton, new jersey, and I go to temple lung hospital in phila pa. The procedure we go through for testing is only one day. It is very time consuming, ( a few hours ) but its all done in one day. I guess things are different in different parts of the country, but transplants are very popular over here, my doctor told me that their hospital alone did 138 of them in 2016. I don't know about up there but down here, that's a lot. But tell me, how do you feel about having the transplant?