Monday, August 3, 2009

What is good gift for transplant patient in hospital?

I imagine says they have to be so careful of germs that plants are not allowed in their rooms. Any suggestions?

What is good gift for transplant patient in hospital?
No flowers, plants, store bought candy, stuffed animals or cards please.





Fresh fruit, flowers, plants, or cut flowers are barred from the patient's room, as these can carry disease-causing molds and bacteria. Because of the fact that the patient will be immunosuppressed, even a small amount of a pathogen might cause a life threatening condition for him/ her. I met a lady at my transplant clinic who had a kidney as well as a liver transplant. She had contracted some infection from somewhere (in spite of being very careful) and had a fever for 2 months! So you need to be careful.





In fact, if you are genuinely concerned, do not even visit the patient. Persons with symptoms of any type of communicable infection should not provide care or visit. Even if you do not exhibit symptoms like fever or coughing, many a times our bodies are "carriers" to diseases, and this can be harmful to the patient.





There are a couple of things that you can do though.


1) Call the patient or his primary care giver as often as you can. Talk to the patient, in person before and on the phone after the transplant, encouraging him or her. Lend your support - a ride to or from the hospital for additional family members maybe. Family members of the patient need help and support too.


2) There is always e-mail. Write as much as you want. Send the patient e-cards. Chat on Yahoo messenger if you can.





I received my transplant last year and I did not go out of my home much for 3-4 months. I did receive beautiful flowers (from friends who had no idea) but sadly, had to dispose them off. Most of my friends talked to me over the phone and to my family members when I was in surgery. I did not receive any visitors for a long time, but it was wonderful to talk to everyone and contact people over the internet.





Good Luck to your friend!
Reply:Cards and balloons are always nice.
Reply:just a card and if allowed a plant or fresh flowers, it will brighten their day regardless
Reply:well, the best gift that you could really give this person is support and care. Just visting if you can, would probably be the best thing for them. Also, plants are really good...some kind of plant like a fern or something that can be good for filtering oxygen and such would be great, and a card couldn't hurt either.
Reply:A good book,a gift certificate,a box of candy,an offer to bring a favorite food, favorite magazines to name a few.
Reply:Flowers and a personal visit. Flowers promote a cheery atmosphere and require no care and go away in about a week. This is especially good for those who aren't yet able to care for themselves. Don't go cheap. If you can't afford a dozen roses, send 3 in a nice arrangement of more common and cheaper flowers. Just make sure to ask if the recipient has any allergies. If allergies present a problem or you really can't afford them, start a get well card writing campaign and have friends and family all send cards. Then visit and read them so the patient knows how much they are cared for.
Reply:Just the gift of life.


My wife had a liver transplant back in 1999, and she died in 2004. All she ever wanted was thoses extra years so we could be together.


I Love You Suzan!! RIP Hun.



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