The hospital required us to have a phone chain ready in advance. Recognizing the flood of emotions and logistics that come with “the call,” it’s easier to have a plan in place for you to call only one person. Then the chain of people in the tree takes over. This way, people who need to know will find out you’re in transit, but the responsibility is not on you to make each call at that time. You’ll have enough to do to pack your last-minute bags, oxygen (you need enough to get back home in case it’s a ‘false alarm’), meds, clothes, notes, etc.
The phone tree can also simplify your life when it comes to providing updates as the transplant progresses. You will want to have direct contact with your whole support group in time, but the phone tree can help you get key information to everyone faster. We have also used Caring Bridge to share updates with our extended support network.