Transplant part 4 (Recovery, Follow up visits)

(I got this information for all 5 of these blogs from the Cleveland Clinic's website regarding their transplant program.)

Recovery From Surgery at Home
View a video on the discharge process.

Ten Tips for a Healthy Lung Transplant Recovery
1.Take all of your medications exactly as prescribed.
◦If you have any pre-transplant medications left, do not take them unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider.
◦Keep a list with you of all your medications and their dosages.
◦Do not take any other medications (over-the-counter or prescribed medications) unless you talk to your doctor first.
◦Don’t stop taking your medications unless you talk to your doctor first.
◦Never double the dose of your medication.
◦Do not keep outdated medication or medication that is no longer needed. Throw old medicines away or bring them to Cleveland Clinic and give them to your transplant coordinator.
◦If you store your medications in a container, label it with the medication name, dose, frequency and expiration date.
◦Keep your medications in your carry-on luggage when you travel. Do not pack your medications in a suitcase that is checked, in case the suitcase is lost.
◦Take extra medication with you when you travel in case your flight is delayed and you need to stay away longer than planned.
◦If you have any pre-transplant medications left, do not take them unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider.
2.Keep all of your scheduled appointments with your physician or transplant coordinators.
3.Call your physician or transplant coordinator if you have any questions or concerns or if you have:
◦A fever over 100°F.
◦Flu-like symptoms such as chills, aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
◦Cold symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or runny nose
◦New pain or tenderness around the transplanted lung
◦Increased shortness of breath
◦Flu-like symptoms such as chills, aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
4.Do not ignore any signs or symptoms that you are experiencing. Always call your physician or transplant coordinator if you have any unusual symptoms or symptoms that cause you concern.
5.Have your blood drawn promptly, as recommended by your transplant physician or transplant coordinator.
6.Report your lab work results to the Transplant Center promptly.
7.Follow your recommended dietary plan.
8.Follow your recommended exercise plan.
9.Perform your pulmonary function tests every day as recommended.
10.Avoid being around anyone who has an infection.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow-up Visits
After you go home, it will be your responsibility to seek consistent and proper medical care to follow-up your lung transplant. It is very important that you maintain your follow-up appointment schedule as recommended after your lung transplant.

Your follow-up appointments play a vital role in effectively monitoring your progress, as well as your lung function and your response to the medications after your lung transplant. These visits also provide you the opportunity to ask questions about your lung transplant recovery.

The role of your local physician in your lung transplant recovery
Your local physician is the doctor who cared for you before you came to Cleveland Clinic for your lung transplant. Your local physician will be notified when you receive your lung transplant and when you are discharged from the hospital.

The Lung Transplant Team will work with you and your local physician to coordinate your care and adjust your medications as necessary.

If you are sick, you should first see your local physician in his or her office, or if necessary, you should go to the nearest emergency room. Your local physician will perform an examination, obtain your current laboratory test results and order any other necessary tests. Your local doctor should discuss your illness and treatment with Cleveland Clinic Transplant Team, as it relates to your lung transplant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~