Lung Transplant Patient & Family Support
Your team will explain how a caregiver may need to help as you move through the lung transplant process. Understanding what to expect early can help you and your loved ones prepare for what’s ahead.
Lung Disease Progression.
As your lung disease progresses, support from family or friends can help you manage appointments, information, and everyday needs. Consider bringing someone you trust to appointments to listen, take notes, and help keep track of next steps.
This is also a good time to talk with family or friends about the support you may need if transplant becomes part of your care plan. Planning early can make future decisions and responsibilities easier to manage.
Transplant Evaluation.
You’ll need to choose a caregiver for your lung transplant evaluation. This would be a family member, friend, or another person you trust who can support you through the transplant process. During evaluation, your caregiver can help listen, take notes, keep track of information, and begin learning how they will help during transplant and recovery.
Your transplant team will help you and your caregiver understand what to expect and start planning for what comes next. Social workers and financial services staff can also help with practical concerns that come up during the evaluation.
Waitlist.
Waiting for a donor lung can bring uncertainty and stress. Your caregiver will have an important role, but support from family and friends can help, too. They can provide encouragement, help with daily responsibilities, and be there when you need extra support.
This is also a good time to make sure the people supporting you are prepared for what may happen next. Keep plans for travel, lodging, work, and other responsibilities up to date. If a donor lung becomes available, your caregiver and support network can help with transportation, communication, and following your transplant team’s instructions.
Transplant and recovery.
You’ll need a caregiver in place before you can move forward with transplant. During recovery, your caregiver may help with daily tasks, transportation to appointments, and following the recovery plan from your care team.
They may also help you keep track of medicines, watch for changes in your recovery, and provide encouragement as you regain strength. Plan for you and your caregiver to stay near Mayo Clinic for at least three months after transplant. Your team can help you prepare for what you’ll need during that time.
Questions to ask about your support plan:
- What will my caregiver need to do at this stage?
- What should my caregiver and I prepare for next?
- Who else can help us with practical or emotional needs?
- Who should we contact when questions or concerns come up?
Know who can help.
Life after transplant.
Support continues as you adjust to life after transplant. Your caregiver, family, and friends can help as you manage medicines, follow-up care, and changes to daily life. Over time, the support you need may change as you become more independent.
Your Mayo Clinic team stays connected through long-term follow-up and can help you and your caregiver find support and resources as new needs come up.
Support from people who have been where you are.
Connect with other patients and caregivers who understand the transplant experience. Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic staff and trained volunteer mentors.
Explore lung transplant care at Mayo Clinic.
