OTS Meeting Recap: Tips for 25 Year Post Transplant Success - A Patient Panel

At the OTS meeting on Friday, June 5, 2024 we heard from an exciting panel of your peers that received their organ transplants over 25 years ago! Our featured speakers were the following four transplant recipients:  

Carolyn Kutsy, Lori Webb and Brent Flynn are all kidney transplant recipients.  Carolyn, Lori and Brent celebrate 36-, 37- and 29-year anniversaries respectively.  Joe Kralicek is a 31-year liver transplant recipient.

We celebrate this group of long-term transplant survivors and wanted to hear about their insightful tips for success. Although we all know nothing is guaranteed in the transplant world, this seasoned group of survivors shared their perspective on some of the Key Tips for Transplant Success.

 10 KEY TIPS FOR TRANSPLANT SUCCESS

1.     Follow your doctor’s orders, stay on top of labs and take your medication as prescribed.

2.     Build a strong support network consisting of family, friends as well as a caregiver and co-workers if applicable.

3.     Don't feel well - Don't wait. See your doctor - illnesses can escalate when immunosuppressed.

4.     Run any over the counter (OTC) medications and supplements by your doctor before taking.

5.     Find an advocate.  Another voice, eyes and ears to ask questions, jot down notes is very helpful.

6.     Protect Yourself - Wear sun block, SPF clothing and hats.

7.     Volunteer - Stay active in the transplant community or with other causes you support.

8.     Stay Positive - Yes, sometimes easier said than done - but there is always something to be grateful for.

9.     Live your life to level YOU CAN - You're not in competition with anyone else.

10.  Relax! Let life happen. Don't worry over every little thing.

The panel also shared that even though their transplants are doing well, there’s no guarantee that they will not have other medical issues down the road. The biggest medical issues some of them have already experienced are kidney problems, diabetes and skin cancer problems. Despite these medical challenges these transplant recipients all had a positive attitude, and they were all grateful for their second chance at life. It was also important to all four transplant recipients to make a difference by giving back to others.

They have all given back in different ways, such as becoming an OTS mentor, helping other transplant patients through online support groups and sharing their stories as done today.

We sincerely thank Carolyn Kutsy, Lori Webb, Brent Flynn and Joe Kralicek for sharing their advice and personal transplant journeys with us. Their stories and positive outlooks were truly inspiring to all of us.

• Written by Irene Faith Purdie