The children's transplant team understands the depth of feeling that surrounds a child's transplantation. They work closely with patient and family throughout the transplant experience. Families benefit especially from the experience of pediatric social workers, whose expertise makes a major difference in transitions from pre-surgery to recovery. Prior to transplant, patients and family meet with a pediatric nurse, a pediatric social worker and a pediatric nutritionist. These professionals prepare both patient and family for all aspects of the transplant process.
Children can read about the transplant in books written at their age level.
Then, to help ease fears about the procedure, patient and family are led on a tour of the operating room and intensive care unit. The social worker arranges alternative educational plans with the schools so that children can remain with their grade. The nutritionist assesses dietary issues prior to surgery. Then, after surgery, she helps the patient cope with weight gain, which is one common side effect of immunosuppressive medications. The surgery itself is performed by one of the few surgeons in the country with dual specialties in transplant surgery and pediatric surgery.