Support Groups While Waiting for Organ Transplants

There are many people who are dealing with the impending organ transplant status. This in itself is very scary, and can cause a lot of mental anguish, if not with the tremendous assistance of many different support groups, and friends and family. I, personally dealing with the medical condition of liver failure due to major cirrhosis of the liver, know the ups and downs that certainly go with the thoughts of transplants. While thinking about transplants, I think about not being in control during a surgery of up to 12 hours. There is also the thought of what if things do not work out. Both of these are very scary and give you a certain feeling of being alone and not in control.

The suitable transplant patients and their families can amply acquire a lot of knowledge and tremendous support by getting involved in diverse types of mutual support groups. These groups might be gatherings, educational and informational groups, one-on-one support groups, newsletters, Internet groups, talking on the phone, and always sharing your true emotions and fears with those who you love. I have found most of my positive encouragement and solid support from those that love me including my Mom and Dad, and other family members. I have in addition found many on-line friends who have shown and clearly spoken many kind and supportive words of encouragement.

There are different reasons to join diverse groups that will be a true benefit to you, your immediate family, friends, and loved ones. Sharing your concerns, fears, struggles, experiences and triumphs with fellow patients and their families can be genuinely comforting, as well as positively provide you encouragement and confidence. People with similar conditions can generously provide a passionate feeling of individual security and comfort and assure you that you are "not alone." It is further encouraging to see how recipients, who have had their transplants for several years, and their families are surviving and how they are enjoying their new life. You'll encounter different people who are waiting for their transplant, those who have just had a transplant and others who were transplanted years ago. There are the different people who can inform you of trends in transplantation, new medications, insurance issues, stress relief, etc. Groups willingly share useful information such as how to deal with insurance companies and where to find drugstores with the best service and prices.

There are diverse types of support groups which comprises hospitals, ran by the hospital and transplant staff, regional support groups, usually ran by transplant clients and have both pre and post transplant patients, Internet support groups, which are either through the clinics or nearby support groups and will have a more widespread group of experiences from around the world. Once I actively discovered my medical condition, I went through the tedious endeavor of definitely finding all of the information, and medications, and final outcome of my disease. That endeavor was over 150 pages of relevant information. I believe that it will benefit those waiting for transplants to do some investigating on their particular situation, as well as find specific groups that are support groups for their situation. This will one, keep your mind active and in addition give you a personal sense of accomplishment and knowledge so you feel more positive about your future. This has done a lot for me over the last couple years.

Here are some group links that may help you if you or a loved one is going through the organ transplant trauma.

http://otsfriends.org/
Organ Transplant Support Inc. (OTS) was formed in the late summer of 1990 by Don La Rocco and Bill Phillips, both transplant recipients.

http://www.transweb.org/people/recips/resources/support_index.htm
This is a listing of many advocacy, support, and educational groups for organ transplant donors and recipients.

http://www.transplantexperience.com/510.php?region=5
This is a support group in California, but has many great groups and information to help people through the ordeal.

No matter which situation you are in, and what the possible outcome is, I believe that the tremendous support and caring of as many people as possible will truly give you the emotional strength to deal with it. I hope from this, it will further help those who are not in an organ transplant situation become involved, either by donating, or supporting those of us in need of an organ transplant.