Forward Focus. News And Information From The Miami Transplant Institute ABOUT US

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1 Forward Focus News And Information From The Miami Transplant Institute VOLUME 1 WINTER Welcome T o Our Inaugural Patient Newsletter We know how important communication is while waiting for an organ or after having received a transplant. In the rapidly changing world of transplant medicine, the staff at the Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine constantly looks for better ways to serve patients ongoing wellness needs. ABOUT US The Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) is a joint program between Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The program began in October 1970 and has grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant centers in the world. The transplant faculty performs more than 450 transplant procedures annually, playing a major role in kidney, liver, intestinal, heart, lung and pancreas transplantation. MTI is located on the UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus. Excellent patient outcomes have been the hallmark of MTI, which recently received national recognition as a silver award winner from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Division of Transplantation. FORWARD FOCUS VOL. 1 1

2 Minding Your Health Cancer Prevention And Screening Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Studies show that transplant patients have a higher risk of some cancers due to the immunosuppressive medication that prevents rejection after transplant. Whether you are waiting for a transplant or have had a transplant, it is important for your overall health that you take the following precautions to help prevent cancer: Eat a healthy diet Include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet Limit the amount of alcohol you drink Stop smoking Get regular exercise Maintain a healthy weight Avoid unprotected exposure to the sun Know your family history of cancer Discuss your risk of cancer with your doctor Have routine physical exams and discuss any changes in your health with your doctor Get screened regularly to help prevent cancer ROUTINE CANCER SCREENING It is important to remain up-todate on routine cancer screenings, whether you are waiting for a transplant or have had a transplant. Review the following guidelines from the American Cancer Society and discuss with your primary care physician if you are not up to date. Most cancers can be treated if detected early, so routine screenings are essential. FEMALES Recommended Screenings for Breast Cancer: Age 20+: Monthly breast self-examination Age 20-40: Breast examination by a clinician every three years Age 40+: Annual mammogram and annual breast examination by a clinician Recommended Screenings for Cervical Cancer: Age 21-65: Pap test every one to three years Age 29-65: Women can have a Pap every five years if the HPV test is also done every five years Age 65+: Pap test not required unless there is a history of abnormal testing prior to this age Women who have had their uterus and cervix removed for reasons other than cancer do not need a Pap test MALES Recommended Screenings for Prostate Cancer: Age 50+: Annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test MALES AND FEMALES Recommended Screenings for Colon Cancer: Age 50+: Every five years with flexible sigmoidoscopy, double contract barium enema, CT colonography, or a colonoscopy every ten years. Your physician may want you to get screened more often depending on your family history and results of the screening test. Information courtesy of the American Cancer Society.

3 Get Vaccinated It s that time of the year again when the risk of getting the flu increases. That means it s flu vaccination time. It is recommended that every person over six months of age gets vaccinated every year. Pre- and post-transplant patients immune systems are less effective in fighting the flu virus than those of healthy people. Hence, it is strongly advised that patients receive the flu vaccine annually. Who Should NOT Receive the Flu Vaccine? If you have a severe allergy to eggs If you have experienced a severe reaction to a flu vaccine If you have a moderate to severe illness with fever If you have had Guillian-Barre Syndrome If you have received your transplant in the past three months If you have recently been treated for rejection Where Can I Get The Vaccine? The flu vaccine is widely available. You should ideally receive it at your primary care physician s office, at a dialysis unit or at our Transplant Clinic. Important Facts About the Flu Vaccine: The vaccine does not cause the flu It is safe to receive if the above criteria are met It protects you from more than one flu virus (usually three) It may not prevent the flu, but it may still lessen the severity Types of Flu Vaccines: There are three different types of flu vaccinations available, all of which are safe for transplant patients. Regular flu shot for ages six months and up High-dose flu shot for people over age 65 New shorter needle shot approved for ages 18 to 65 years WARNING: Post-transplant patients should NOT receive the nasal spray flu vaccine or the shingles vaccine as they contain the live virus. FORWARD FOCUS VOL. 1 3

4 Medications Medications are a part of life for any transplant patient. Understanding key facts about post-transplant medications is essential, no matter where you are in the transplant process. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Know your medications including the name, dose, why you take it and how often. Carry updated medication lists with you at all times. If prescribed a medication by a non-transplant physician, inform your coordinator before starting it. Don t wait until the last minute to refill medicines. POST-TRANSPLANT MEDICATIONS Anti-rejection medications fool your body into 1. accepting the transplanted organ as your own. Prophylaxis medications or medication taken to 2. prevent infections, blood clots or ulcers. Other medications manage pre-existing medical 3. condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Miscellaneous medications address any 4. other health concerns. Don t eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice after transplant it may interact with your medications.

5 Understanding key facts about post-transplant medications is essential, no matter where you are in the transplant process. REMEMBER Don t take your anti-rejection medication when having your blood drawn to check your anti-rejection blood levels. Bring your medication dose with you to take immediately after your blood is taken. FORGOT TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATION? You can still take missed medications up to four hours after you normally take them. However, if it s now 3 p.m. and you realize you forgot your morning dose, do not take your missed dose. Take your evening dose as scheduled. GOLDEN RULES Stop and call your transplant coordinator or physician before you: Stop taking your anti-rejection medications. Start any new medications, including medications from other doctors/clinics and over-the-counter medications. Remember, even over-the-counter medications or herbal medications may interact with your anti-rejection medications. Restart any old medications that you took before your transplant. FORWARD FOCUS VOL. 1 5

6 JHS0186-Patient-Newsletter4c-fin-SINGLEPAGES.qxp:JHS0186-Patient-Newsletter4c 12/20/12 11:25 AM Page 6 Important Updates For Visitors Our Transplant Clinic is currently The Highland Professional Building, To provide you with excellent service, priority parking is available which houses the Miami Transplant being renovated. The lobbies, Institute, will be renamed the Miami on the sixth floor of the attached elevators and waiting areas will garage for recently transplanted Transplant Institute Building. be completed in December. The patients. Car tags will be issued This reflects a strong commitment second phase of renovation is for access to the designated by Jackson Memorial Hospital and projected to begin toward the end parking area. the University of Miami to our of 2013 and will include the clinic transplant programs. and lab area.

7 Tips For Healthy Eating In The New Year Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet during this busy season is a challenge for all of us. Here are five tips that can help you enjoy the new year without overindulging: Do not diet. Dieting makes you feel restricted and frustrated when you attend seasonal parties. Eat before a party. By eating a small meal, you won t be as hungry and therefore are less likely to overindulge. Bring a healthy dish. Be the one to bring your favorite healthy snack to a party or family gathering. Use appetizer plates. Using a small plate helps prevent overeating. If you don t want it don t eat it! Avoid eating anything that you don t really want. What Would You Like To Hear About? Miami Transplant Institute Toll-free: This newsletter is for you. If there is a topic you would like to see in a future edition, please your suggestions to forwardfocus@jhsmiami.org. Editorial Board Contributing Writers Marian O Rourke Dr. David Roth Alexandra Centeno Rocio Milagros Garcia Associate Director, MTI Medical Director, Clinical Pharmacist, MTI Dietician, MTI Jennifer Jebrock Kidney Transplant, MTI Jennifer Jebrock Marian O Rourke Clinical Pharmacist, MTI Clinical Pharmacist, MTI Associate Director, MTI FORWARD FOCUS VOL. 1 7

8 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIAMI, FL PERMIT NO N.W. 9th Avenue,Third Floor Miami, FL Miami Transplant Institute Receives Three Silver Awards The Miami Transplant Institute is proud to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Division of Transplantation. Transplant programs are recognized for excellence in patient survival before and after transplant, in addition to short waiting times for transplant. MTI is the only national silver-award winner in three catagories: kidney, kidney-pancreas, and lung transplant. The heart transplant program received a bronze medal award. Give Thanks. Give Life. Every day, 18 people die waiting for a transplant. Give Thanks, Give Life is a national campaign to bring the life-saving issue of organ and tissue donation into the season of giving. Transplant patients and families can lead the way by registering to become organ donors. Being a transplant patient does not prevent you from being an organ, eye and tissue donor. Give the gift of life! Sign up at