Waiting for Transplant
After being listed for transplant, it is the patient’s responsibility to make sure they can be reached at any time. It is recommended that listed patients keep a pager or cell phone on their person at all times.
Patients may be called at any time of the day or night, and must come to the hospital as soon as possible. Patients waiting for transplant must have transportation to the hospital available at all times, and have people ready to take over responsibilities at home and work.
The Call
When a donor becomes available, a transplant coordinator will contact the patient about a possible transplant. The patient will be given instructions for arriving at and checking into the hospital.
The patient will continue to check blood sugars as usual, and will not eat in anticipation of surgery. After the patient is admitted to the hospital, an IV is started for medications. Final testing is done to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to undergo the transplant procedure. These tests may include blood and urine tests, an EKG, chest x-ray, and a health history and physical exam. The patient also signs a consent form for the procedure.
Patients may be called into the hospital multiple times before receiving an islet transplant.
