Transplant Talk: Living with Loss(es)

Lung transplant recipients and their caregivers may experience many different types of losses over the course of their lifetimes. Prior to our transplant, recipients may lose parts of our self-identification, our physical health or independence, or access to activities we once enjoyed or defined ourselves by. We may lose our standard role within our friend or family group. Many of us lose multiple friends within the transplant community to rejection, infection, or other causes. Our caregivers experience losses as well. They may lose the type of relationship they imagined, opportunities for professional advancement, free time for hobbies or personal growth, or experience negative changes in their own body due to the rigors of caretaking responsibilities.

How can we incorporate and process all of these losses while still feeling grateful for our second chance at life? We invite you to explore this important topic alongside Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, the coordinator of the Pathways Program for families who have an advanced serious illness, who has been working at the Dougy Center for more than twenty years. Rebecca will help us to name and understand our losses, and to place them in the larger context of the joy and freedom that a lung transplant can bring. This understanding will help our community develop resiliency skills in the face of these ongoing losses.

We will also hear from Lavetta Smith, a bilateral lung transplant recipient who has just achieved her first lungaversary!  Lavetta is a passionate advocate for discussing the emotional aspects of the lung transplant process, and was recently featured in a Washington Post documentary about the power of support groups.

Key Topics of Living with Loss(s):

• Grief and Loss in Transplant Communities: The webinar explored the complex emotional landscape experienced by individuals who have undergone lung transplants. It highlighted the various types of losses encountered, including physical, emotional, and social losses.
• Multiple Losses: The presentation emphasized that lung transplant recipients often face multiple losses throughout their journey. These losses can range from the loss of physical abilities to the loss of relationships and social connections.
• Post-Transplant Grief: Even after receiving a transplant, individuals may experience grief related to the loss of their previous body and the challenges of adjusting to a new normal.
• Identity Changes: The transplant process can lead to significant changes in identity, as individuals navigate new roles and limitations.
• Coping Strategies: The webinar discussed the importance of developing coping strategies to manage grief and loss. These strategies can include seeking support from loved ones, participating in support groups, engaging in mindfulness practices, and finding joy in small moments.
• The Power of Community: The importance of community and support networks was emphasized. Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences can provide comfort, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

Key Takeaways of Living with Loss(es):

• Grief and loss are common experiences for lung transplant recipients.  
• It’s important to acknowledge and process these losses.
• Developing coping strategies can help manage grief and find joy.  
• Connecting with a supportive community can provide valuable support.
• Seeking professional help when needed is essential.

Overall, this webinar provides valuable insights into the emotional challenges faced by lung transplant recipients and offers strategies for coping with grief and loss.

Sources and related content:

Exploring Living Loss: How to Provide Support for Patients and Families

6 Coping Skills to Work Through Grief