Friend in Florida's son needs a transplant...need support.

Dorothy, we are in Florida.

The MELD score requirements are much lower in FL that in some other areas....low 20s.

Mayo in Jax has a great program. BUT, they don't take Medicaid. May are on state insurance by the time they get to TP time. I know we emptied the bank before Mike qualified for state insurance. He is on Medicare now, so does not get that any more, but they do still pitch in on his med co pays.

There are smaller programs in Orlando and Tampa that some have used. there is an emerging program at the Cleveland Clinic in Wellington, but I have not heard if that one is off the ground.

Mike goes to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami....the Miami Transplant Institute. It is a huge program and has done the job for him. It is not lovely, the center is in a HUGE public hospital with lots and lots of needy patients. It is a X shaped hospital with 16 floors. A Saturday night in the ER can be a scary thing. But they do hundreds of livers, kidneys, pancrease, hearts, lungs...multiples. We have been going there for almost 6 years now...before and after.

They are very strict about the alcohol thing...but you know that.

Have his mother sign on here....we can help her a lot. And the son too if he is up to posting. the patients, if they are with the program, are the best reporters of their story.


Good to hear from you,

Hugs,
Mama Lama

Mayo Jacksonville is the fastest way to get a transplant. Personally not a fan of their staff but it's the best option for urgent care on the East coast. To my knowledge they are a bit more flexible with transplant organs. That ain't always a good thing. I elected to have them supply a liver should UNC not have one on hand that matched me. UNC (University of North Carolina, Chapel hill) works with Jacksonville mayo in acquiring organs for transplant. Should this be a life or death issue I will be in line to get a mayo liver, Otherwise a Liver tested and matched by UNC is my preference. It is to my understanding that Mayo doesn't have as stringent rules regarding verification of organ quality as regular hospitals.

Ziff

Thank you everyone. I talked to his mom about coming on here. Right now she is just so scared. He is at a hospital near palm coast Fl. They are talking about moving him to different hospital. As soon as I hear more i will update. Thanks again

Dorothy