So her I am sitting in the Greek Alps and it's bloody hot! Have factor 50 on for last three days, no burnt but have been walking in the sun. What? I hear you shout. Well I was told that as long as I had my sun protection on and a cap and didn't burn I was pretty safe? Then I think about the packaged fruit and vegetables issue. On this matter I was never informed? I've eaten out at restaurants at home and I'm eating at restaurants here in Greece. We all, it seems, have been given different information or no information at all? This morning I thought might email my transplant coordinators but am concerned that I will be given information that differs from what others have been given and I'm constantly chasing my tail. This is not a critism of you guys but it is so tiring and worrying that there seems to be no hard and fast guidelines? For example I was told recently they I'm able to occasionally eat unpasteurised which I have and my bloods have been fine and no infections? I was in clinic in April and met a 8 year post receipiant that had been to Dubai for s holiday and had an amazing colour? He said that he wore factor 50 but still got a colour? I'm already going brown after 5 days yet I've been extremely compliant? When will the confusion end? I'm worn out.........
On holiday and blooming confused?!!! - British Liver Trust
On holiday and blooming confused?!!!
You know what poobear, I'd say carry on doing what you're doing, taking advice from the medics who are taking care of you. Wash all fruit and veg whether packaged or not and keep using the factor 50. When you are exposed to the sun for long enough you are bound to change colour, its the red raw burning everyone needs to avoid becoming and thats what factor 50 will prevent happening to the skin. But no matter how high the factor (spf) is, in a hot sunny climate you will never avoid going a bit brown at least. I know transplantees need to avoid burning, but everyone needs a certain amount of exposure to the sun as it is a great sourse of vitamin E which our bodies need and it helps with better sleep . So dont worry about anything, chill out, relax and enjoy your well deserved break in Greece...
😎
Laura x
Your words have cheered me up no end, thank you. Leigh.
I know what you mean laura - but, despite my post on this subject, I have not been anywhere near burnt in the slightest since my TP. I am putting it down to, rightly or wrongly, the fact that I was continuously burnt as a child having been brought up in the West Indies - and am now reaping the rewards. ☹️
Miles
Hi Poobear, just enjoy your holiday. Your doing all you can, you will be OK with factor 50. On food, I remember when they said red wine was good for you🤣🤣, but of course,we know otherwise. I would just peel what fruit you can, and go to restaurants that are recommended. I always check out reviews on Tripadvisor. I know they vary, but just look for the ones saying food undercooked etc. I am going to Crete in late September, when hopefully it won't be too hot. Enjoy your hols,
David
Thanks for that David. I'm also checking bay all cheeses are pasteurised as I do love a bit of feta! Enjoy Crete. Try to get to Sissi for a day as it's really lovely.
Thanks for the tip , my first time going to Crete.
David
Enjoy your holiday too David
L x
Thanks Laura, I will. The place we are staying is quiet and near a Cretan Museum and archaeological sites, so just my cup of tea😊😊😊
David
Sounds idilic xx
If you are going to Knossos please get there early. All the cruise ships arrive and the passengers swamp the site from 10 or 10.30!
Very good though if you ignore the comments about the Brits. The guy who excavated it in the 30s was a Brit who rebuilt some of the missing bits with concrete.
Archeological museum also very good. Check opening times.
Have a lovely time.
Izzy xx
Thanks Izzy for the info, and yes Knossos is on our list. Concrete on an archaeological site....that's unforgivable!!!!
David
The British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, made it into what he thought a Greek palace might / should look like. He used lots of poetic license.
If you have the opportunity, go to Spinalonga. Its an amazing and strange place with evidence of both ancient and modern times. Make sure you buy drinks and anything else before you get to the island, as once there, they've got you and can charge what they like.
explorecrete.com/crete-east...
We liked Crete so much we are going back in September when the sun is not so hot. We were in Rethymnon which is lovely, worth a trip if you're quite central.
Hope you have as good a time as we had.
Jim and Lucy
Thanks Jim & Lucy for the link, and the drink warning. Of course I will be on soft drinks only, but Annie likes a wee dram now and again. We are staying about 1 mile east of Hersonissos, and the owner of the apartments, also runs a Cretan Museum, and serves traditional Cretan food. Hopefully in mid september, it won't be too hot for me, but Annie loves it. We can't wait😊😊😊
David
Mine too! The husband and I are will be there the first 2 weeks of October. Will look up Sissi - thanks!
You’ll go brown and not burn because you use factor 50! As for the feta etc as long as you are washing salads yourself or going to a resto which looks clean I think you should be fine.
Enjoy and you are making me jealous - 5 fantastic hols in Greece ... although at the end of the last on Crete I was so happy to see clouds after endless blue skys! Arrived back in Paris to a fine drizzle.... bliss 😂😂
Hi there. Sounds like you're having a great time apart from the food stress, LOL. It is all very confusing. when the hospitals give the food information to all that have had a liver transplant you have to bear in mind that some peoples immune systems are more suppressed than others and so the hospitals have to err on the side of caution because they are giving the same info across the board. I have accidentally eaten live yogurts and have eaten fruit without washing it (because I simply forgot) and I've been fine. someone who is on a far higher dose of Tac than me might have been ill doing that. I recently ate some sealed pre washed lettuce because I didn't realise that I shouldn't, but I'm ok. Guess we just have to be careful and some more careful than others. Relax and enjoy that holiday 
Alf
I’ve been in Thailand 6 days and use factor 50 and my colour had significantly changed you’d think I hadn’t used any at all except I’ve had no burning or redness been using p20
Thailand? We were due to to Muscat, Oman and I nearly was quickly told no!
Why was that ?
Apparently because the risk of any infection was to high?.
Well am in koh Samui an island off Thailand and the only jab I needed was tetanus,I spoke to team at Addenbrookes and they actually encouraged me go and had no worries with it but they did say to double up on meds which I have & gave me a letter stating what I had done and what meds are for very similar to what they send your GP after check ups.
I am very much of the belief that as we have been given a second chance of life that life should be lived to the full,yes we need to be a bit more careful regards certain things but we can go out in the sun just don’t go sunbathing in your budgie smugglers 😂 wear sensible clothing (linen my fav)a hat and of course sun cream all of which should be done by all transplant or no transplant.
Out here I’ve been on 4x4 jungle safari,kayaking,snorkelling even the most dangerous a cooking class😊,I do ache after a days walking but don’t we all?
Sorry to go on about this subject too! Last month my 5 year old granddaughter got sun burnt after being plastered in Solton Factor 50! Errr! Her mother is so protective of her daughters skin that she made sure she was wearing a hat and well covered swim suit, but still got burnt! I'm starting to wonder does this suntan cream actually WORK! My daughter-in-law was sending a letter of complaint as it happened on the 1st day of there holidays!
Trish
I'm really wondering if any of us post transplant can have any kind of life now? All I do is worry?
Stop worrying Leigh and enjoy yourself. I feel great as far as my liver is concerned but can't get about too much because of bone problems and joint pain. If it wasn't for that I'd be living the life of Riley. Have a great new life and stop looking for negatives! SLAP!!
Like your reply Alf!
Poobear! Go and have a Supa Dupa holiday and stop stressing ! Lifes for blummin living ❤❤❤
Love Trish xxx
I hate that you are worried all the time. You are a nice person, with a kind heart, you are doing everything right. You have a second chance at life.
I cannot see what you are doing wrong to cause worry.. I want you to be happy, live and love your new life.
I agree with others, listen to your doctors, they will tell you if you are doing something wrong surely.
Not that I know much Poobear, I can for sure say, I know nothing about anything.
Keep the factor 50 slapped on and enjoy your holiday. I expect it has been a long time coming so enjoy dear Poobear. Jaycee
I think you're overreacting a little. Just think of those who never got a second chance. Sure I could do without the raised blood pressure, wonky abdominal muscles, the odd upset stomach when the egg is a little too runny, the fatigue, etc but these pale in comparison to a miserable existence with end stage liver disease or even worse, not being around to see my kids grow up. Life after transplant is certainly not perfect but it should make you appreciate all the little things we usually take for granted.
No I'm.not overreacting? This is my reality and you comment is your perception of the way I feel and it's not helpful or appreciated.
And do not dare to presume that my previous existence was miserable? I find your tobee almost bullying and telling me how I should think and behave? Well don't bother? I may ave been through some crap but I'm robust enough still to still face off.......
Hi Poobear, I don't think anyone meant any offence to you. I sometimes think being on this board can make things more stressful - everyone has different experiences & has been given different advice so it can make you question things to the point of stressing you out (I know that's happened to me). My husband, who has liver disease, isn't a member of this board - he just listens to his doctor & has managed to stay wonderfully chilled! That's not to say being on here is a bad thing - just maybe take a little break now & again? I really hope you have a fab holiday & can put some of your worries to the back of your mind x
That’s well said supporing!
No offence taken at all and thank you for your kind words 😀
Klodian - don't even know if you're reading this but please don't leave!
Too late He’s gone. Unfortunately Poo’s comments were a bit too much for him I think ☹️
I can assyr you all he's fine. I've had a really lovely hreatening pm from him 😂
Hi, Poo -
Hope you are enjoying your vacation just a little bit more now and that your worries have possibly decreased?
I always get very sad when I see things go downhill on this forum. You said you’d had a lovely PM with Klodian, and yet, you included a laughing emoji. Not being British nor completely understanding British humor, I am uncertain if this indicates sarcasm, but it might?
Klodian is indeed gone, and myself and others are sad about this. The perspective he was sharing was actually offered by other posters, as well, but they used different language. I can understand how you might have felt upon first reading his comment, but did you understand his perspective better after hearing the same thing from others?
Klodian is a very kind soul.
I often wonder if we might keep friction to a minimum if we did not use name-calling. I am not denying your feelings nor your reality ... just asking that everyone try for politeness, even when disagreeing.
In that vein, please do not be too harsh if you choose to reply. I only wrote this to try to make some peace amongst the group. 🌺
Here’s to your good health and to feeling better soon, Poo.
xx
Thank you for your thoughts and observations. I unable to, unfortunately. share the private message that he sent me. P perhaps then your view of him would change after reading his threatening and violent use of words? Again, thank you and I hope that you are well.
Enjoy the sun, sea, food and lifestyle found only on the greek islands!!! LIFE IS FOR LIVING!!!
Now come on sweetpea try and think positive thoughts! It's not going to be an easy road but just think of that sparkling lite of life your eventually going to have!
One of my friends, her name is Sally was an Olympic Gold Swimming Medalist who is now 50! She had her transplant at the age of 27 ! The liver was then 30 years old then and is still going strong!
I know life's a shite right now but we're all here to listen and to support you ! SCREAM or Punch a pillow as you may feel slightly better for doing it! Try now to get to down petal! I'm here !!!
Love
Trish xxxx
Not a happy bunny this morning. I don't need negative shit thrown at me? End of.....
I'm sick and tired of people telling me how I shoud feel because I'm alive? I'm sick and tired of people telling me how grateful I should be? I'm sick and tired of people telling me how humbled I should be? I'm sick and tired of people telling me how I should feel? We are all different individuals and our responses to being transplanted differ? I was the one that fucked up and needed a transplant. I live with that knowledge and carry that all the time but certainly don't need some a hole preaching at me?
Poobear69 - lemons are great for killing bacteria. I squeeze them over raw fruit and veg after I've washed and dried them - belt and braces! I haven't had a transplant but chemorad and autoimmune with low platelets. Enjoy your holiday!
Great idea . Ill definitely do that in futue.
From what I've been told by medical professions, they either make my liver disease seem very serious or no big deal. Anyone else?
Bloody porphyria...
Feeling very fatigued and horribly anxious
Vitamin d
Confused and angry
