_ Once the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease is received, a caregiver and their loved one have a whole new set of events and situations that can cause stress and anxiety to develop. These include:
To eat right, take prescribed medications, and follow a daily exercise program. The transplant team will create a plan based on the patient's medical needs.
To keep up with studies, work, and leisure activities, to the best of his abilities. The patient shouldn't have to put everything on hold.
To know it's OK to share feelings of depression or uneasiness. The transplant team can answer questions, and help alleviate fears. The social worker is more than a good listener -- he or she can put the patient in touch with a support group in the area.
To find a creative outlet, enjoying a hobby to the fullest. This will distract and help a patient relax. Or the patient could pursue a new interest - something that will absorb pent-up energy and leave positive feelings of fulfillment.
To spend time with family and friends. Good company will take a patient's mind off waiting. Laughter really is the best medicine.
To learn relaxation techniques, like reading and listening to music or relaxation tapes.
Maintaining contact with other liver disease patients can be helpful. However, physical groups may not be accessible to
patients who live long distances from the transplant center except at
the time of medical appointments. A
partial solution is Internet-based online support groups, either in the form
of real-time "chat room" discussion groups or a "bulletin board" to
which individuals post messages to which others may respond at any
time.
MDJunction.com is an excellent example of an online support group that offers both "chat room" and "bulletin board" features. There is an excellent cirrhosis group, caregiver group and organ-transplants group an
as well as over 700 other support groups—people helping people. It is
essential, however, that patients and families who use these resources
keep in mind that any type of groups are not the appropriate forum for
handling critical medical or psychosocial issues or emergencies.