Cultivating Resilience

AliEm14

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In our most recent session, we explored stress and resilience—specifically, how transplant recipients find that balance between staying safe and actually living life.

The transplant process itself can feel so intense, with constant medical oversight, and then suddenly you’re on your own navigating everything. The hospital is such a high-stress environment, and part of life after transplant is figuring out how to manage that stress and build resilience day to day.

Did you feel a shock when transitioning from the hospital to managing your own transplant care? What strategies have helped you cultivate resilience in your own journey?

We have conversations like this, and so much more, in our community groups and we'd love to see you in our next one. Just click the education tab at the top of your screen to sign up and skip the FOMO

Ldybug97

I was prepared to embrace my new reality, but the real shock came with adjusting to the freedom that followed my transplant. Living with so many restrictions for years made it hard at first to believe I could fully enjoy life again. Resilience has always been a part of my journey, but I’ve learned to make it the center of how I live. Along the way, I’ve also discovered the importance of giving myself grace and saying yes to opportunities as they come. My transplant gave me more than just improved health and it gave me a new outlook on life, one grounded in gratitude, strength, and purpose.

TheMac

What a great question. I was a perfectly healthy, thriving woman before I got sick in 2019 at 52. I have been writing a book. It has had many names but the most recent name is Transplant, a Story of Resilience. Who knows what/if/when it will be finished. I have learned that resilience is what have I learned from transplant the most. What helped me?

1. I write on the top of my pill bottles the first letter of the drug so when I fill my pillbox, it is easier to locate what is needed for each day
2. i keep a detailed hand written date book of “to-do” tasks for each day being mindful of realistic expectations of what I can accomplish each day.
3. I give myself extra time between tasks/work for rest
4. I practice forgiveness of my limitations and try not compare my life pre-transplant to post transplant.
5. i allow myself to not do everything everyday and “go with the day”.
6. i meditate every morning and ask the universe to guide me through each day
7. i don’t get attached to much anymore. I am flexible and really listen to my body’s messages. My body speaks to me, I just need to be willing and receptive to what it has to say.
8. i lower expectations while still having goals and give myself grace if a task oriented day suddenly is cut short by other needs.
9. understanding that navigating the medical/insurance system is difficult and to pause and ask for patience.

that is just a quick list of what I have learned along a 2.5 journey and I look forward to receiving more wisdom.